Mossman-Port Douglas notched up their ninth win on the trot and cemented their position as ladder leaders after they defeated Southern Suburbs 30-6 on Sunday at Alley Park.
A four-try haul to Matthew Gibuma for the Sharks helped steer his side home with the win putting Mossman two points clear of Cairns Brothers on the ladder.
Mossman's Kalani Anau and Mareko Daniel also chipped in with one try apiece with Daniel also kicking three conversions.
In the first half, the Sharks dominated as they penetrated Suburbs defence and put on three tries to go into the sheds at halftime with a convincing 14-6 lead.
A deft downfield kick by Roland Gallen after a scrum was chased down by Richard Joinbee who promptly went in under the sticks for Suburbs first and only try of the match just before the break.
Kody Oliver slotted the extras which saw the home side with an eight-point deficit.
It was a feeding frenzy by the Sharks in the second half and the points kept coming as they ran in with three more tries, and despite their share of scoring opportunities, Suburbs were denied of further points.
Post match, Mossman-Port Douglas coach Brian Murgha gathered his troops around and dissected the game with them.
He outlined their number of penalties and errors overall and explained it was those easy things such as ball control and getting into the right position to catch the ball as the areas they need to improve on.
The coach said there were a high number of penalties in the game which they have to be mindful of as in a crucial game, one penalty could cost them a win.
Despite giving away so many penalties, he said the pleasing aspect was his team's solid defence.
"Suburbs really turned up to play and made them fight hard for the two points," Murgha said.
He also conceded the scoreboard wasn't a true reflection of how well Suburbs played, but said it was "full credit to his boys, as they dug in when it really mattered."
"Our games are based on defence; they had the individual ability to score points from anywhere, so our key focus is to limit other teams from scoring points."
Murgha added that Gabriel Bonn put in an outstanding effort "playing out of his skin" as another forward who plays in the centre, which took the pressure off the forwards.
Murgha, who is his first season as coach, previously played for Yarrabah, Edmonton, Mossman-Port Douglas and Suburbs.
Although he lives in Edmonton, Murgha makes the hour-long trek to Mossman twice a week for team training sessions.
The Mossman team features a mixture of older and younger players with their winger Aggie Gibuma aged 17 the youngest and in his first year playing in Cairns District Rugby League competition.
There is also the experience of other older players including former Northern Pride player Noel Underwood in the side.
This weekend, Mossman-Port Douglas host Atherton Roosters and the coach said they would have to prepare well as they "definitely have a target" on their backs.
"We will need to ensure we are doing the little things right to put ourselves in the best position to win games," Murgha said.
"Our focus this week will be on individual player attitude, being in the right head space and mental toughness."
Round 13 Results
A Grade
Innisfail 36 defeated Tully 18
Ivanhoes 34 defeated Edmonton 24
Mossman-Port Douglas 30 defeated Southern Suburbs 6
Cairns Brothers 40 defeated Yarrabah 26
Kangaroos 34 defeated Mareeba 28
Bye: Atherton
Ladder: Mossman-Port Douglas 18, Cairns Brothers 16, Yarrabah 16, Innisfail 15, Atherton 14, Kangaroos 13, Ivanhoes 13, Southern Suburbs 10, Mareeba 8, Edmonton 6, Tully 1
Reserve Grade
Innisfail 26 defeated Tully 22
Edmonton 10 defeated Ivanhoes 0
Mossman-Port Douglas 30 defeated Southern Suburbs 24
Cairns Brothers 32 defeated Yarrabah 24
Kangaroos 42 defeated Mareeba 14
Under 18
Innisfail won on forfeit by Tully
Ivanhoes 46 defeated Edmonton 10
Southern Suburbs won on forfeit by Mossman-Port Douglas
Yarrabah 38 defeated Cairns Brothers 36
Kangaroos won forfeit by Mareeba
Round 14 A Grade Fixtures
Saturday, July 13
Mossman-Port Douglas v Atherton at Coronation Park, Mossman
Tully v Edmonton at Tully Showgrounds
Sunday, July 14
Cairns Brothers v Innisfail at Stan Williams Park, Cairns
Ivanhoes v Yarrabah at Smithfield Sport Complex
Kangaroos v Southern Suburbs at Vico Oval, Mooroobool
Bye: Mareeba
Main image: Mossman-Port Douglas player Noel Underwood is halted by a Southern Suburbs player Photo: Maria Girgenti
