The Mackay Magpies team shone at the Nate Myles Cup for Under 13 played held across the weekend, taking out the 2018 title in a dominant display.
The team finished the pool games without conceding a point and carried their form into the finals defeating Mareeba in the semi-final and overcoming a strong Kangaroos performance in the grand final.
A record number of 22 teams, from as far south as Mackay, travelled to Gordonvale for the carnival, with teams keen to play in ideal weather conditions after a wet start to the year which forced numerous cancellations to club training and trial games in the north over the past month.
This Under 13 carnival, a key fixture on the junior rugby league calendar, is held in recognition of one of the Far North’s favourite sons, former NRL star Nate Myles.
Myles started his playing career as a 5-year-old playing his junior rugby league with the Southern Suburbs Junior Rugby League club.
Northern Pride Under 20s players were also in attendance on Saturday, mingling with the teams and lending their support.
At the end of the pool round games, Kangaroos (Cairns), Mareeba, Mackay Magpies and Burdekin Roosters (Townsville) progressed to the semi finals.
The Myles family attended the carnival with Nate’s dad Tony Myles presenting the Championship trophy.
Results – semi finals
Kangaroos 20 def Burdekin 8
Mackay Magpies 24 def Mareeba 0
Grand final:
Mackay Magpies 32 (Harry Thorpe (No 6) 3, Henry Thorpe (No 13) 3, Samson Chow (No 8), Beau Jones (No 4) tries) def Kangaroos 12 (Jace Williams (No 6), James Minniecon (No 1), Gabriel Wood (No 9) tries)
Carnival Awards
Nate Myles Cup Champions – Mackay Magpies
Player of the Carnival – Harry Thorpe (Mackay Magpies)
Player of the Final – Henry Thorpe (Mackay Magpies)
Spirit of the Carnival – Townsville Brothers White
Referee of the Carnival – Wil Brezic (Cairns)
>> Download the results from the 2018 Nate Myles Cup competition here
