In wet and slippery conditions at Callendar Park, Atherton Roosters continued their unbeaten run and handed Innisfail Leprechauns their first loss of the season to retain the John Cole Toyota Mayor's Challenge trophy.
Prior to kick-off, a minute's silence was observed in memory of former Tully player Okesene Sala, father of Alex Sala and Kangaroos stalwart Tom Tassell.
The annual friendly competition is held in good spirit and after the match, Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor John Kremastos presented the trophy to Tablelands Regional Councillor Dave Bilney on behalf of Mayor Joe Paronella to Roosters captain Jermaine Pedro.
Reece Munster was also named the Roosters Man of the Match in the 26-12 win.
This is the Roosters third consecutive win of the CDRL season and so far, the side are undefeated.
Head coach Graham Clark said it was he was pleased with his side's effort in wet conditions, considering they are more suited to a dry and fast track.
"I was very happy with how the boys muscled through the middle, as Innisfail are a big pack and I felt we dominated them for most of the game."
He said there were a couple of patches in the game when they let Innisfail gain some momentum due to ill discipline and errors, so the side would need to focus on discipline, ball control, as well as being more clinical and ruthless.
"Jermaine Pedro controlled the game very well, along with Graham Clark Jnr whose first carries when they kicked down field got us out of trouble and in particular, his defence was a real stand-out."
Clark said they had played on three very wet tracks, so haven't had the chance to use their skills set and play their expansive style of footy.
"I feel what the side lacks in size and depth, we make up for in community spirit with a focus on all grades giving back to their local community."
This weekend, the Roosters women's team are raising money for a women's youth shelter, while the A Grade team will be visiting aged care homes and hospital.
After the break for Easter, the Roosters have an away game against Cairns Brothers which Clark said will be a real test.
Atherton pipped Innisfail by two in the Reserve grade game by 28 - 26 while in Under 18s Atherton went down to Innisfail by 36 - 22.
Innisfail Women’s NRL touch team continued their good form with a 1-0 victory over Atherton.
Elsewhere in Round 3, CDRL Edmonton Storm hosted Kangaroos at Peterson Park and in A Grade, the home side downed Kangaroos by 26-18.
The Storm Women’s touch league team won the game on forfeit by Kangaroos.
In Under 18s, Edmonton were too good for Kangaroos 54-4 while nothing could separate both sides in Reserve grade, with the match ending in a 24-24 draw.
On Sunday, reigning premiers Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks travelled to Jilara Oval to clash with Yarrabah Seahawks, and in a high scoring affair in A Grade, Yarrabah bounced back well and notched up a 42-32 win over Mossman.
The Mossman Sharkettes women’s touch team had a bye, while in Reserve grade, Yarrabah had an exciting 26-24 win over Mossman-Port Douglas.
In the A grade clash between Cairns Brothers and Tully Tigers, Isaiah Wigness made his first grade debut for Cairns Brothers along with Terrence Casey, one of the team's co-signed Northern Pride players.
Cairns Brothers handed Tully Tigers a punishing 54-8 defeat at Stan Williams Park, with the Tigers only highlight being a ripper try by Cameron Vecchio in the final five minutes of the game.
After scores were locked at 18-18 with 20 minutes left on the clock, Tully Tigers Reserves were unlucky to go down to Cairns Brothers 22-24 in a hard-fought contest.
In Under 18s, Yarrabah Seahawks defeated Cairns Brothers 18-12.
Reserve Grade was a much closer contest which saw Cairns Brothers register a thrilling two-point win over Tully.
A matchup between Southern Suburbs and Mareeba Gladiators at Alley Park, Gordonvale rounded off Round 3 fixtures, while Ivanhoes had the bye.
The A Grade game went down to the wire when a penalty kick by Suburbs in the final 20 seconds of the game hit the post and bounced back into their possession, but the home side were unable to score and went down by two points to Mareeba.
In Reserve grade, Suburbs trailed by 14-0 at halftime, and despite a late surge by the Cockatoos in the second half – they went down to Mareeba 22-16 at the fulltime siren.
In Under 18s, Suburbs were kept scoreless in the second half and Mareeba proved too strong winning by 28-8.
Southern Suburbs women’s touch team registered their first win of the season after they defeated Mareeba 4-0.
There will be no footy action this weekend due to the Easter break, but games will return on the following weekend of April 27-28.
