Lions emerge kings from jungle rumble

FOOTBALL A BAND of young talent has put their mark on Leichhardt’s 2017 trophy cabinet, putting behind them league disappointment to beat Edge Hill in the Intersport FNQ Men’s Cup final.

The Lions won the veritable “rumble in the jungle” 3-2 against the Tigers, thanks to a Cameron Nucifora winner in the 77th minute at Endeavour Park on Tuesday night.

Leichhardt led the match 1-0 after four minutes, before Edge Hill roared to life with goals in the 13th and 16th minute. A Farren Dempsey equaliser in firsthalf stoppage time proved decisive, but the Tigers were their own worst enemy after Liam Cashmere and David Davitadze were sent off in the 63rd minute.

Match-winner Nucifora said he was kicking himself after missing a “sitter” in the first half but was pleased to make up for it in the second.

“I think we just tried to keep playing our own game and keep the ball and we did that and it paid off,” he said.

“We haven’t had the best of seasons, but to be fair we’ve got a very young side. So it’s good to have something to show for the season. We’ve grown a lot together through the year.”

Nucifora paid tribute to recent addition Benoit Bruyat, who scored a crucial goal in the Cup semi-final, for being the calming influence for the youth.

“Benny’s been with us the past four or five weeks and he’s probably 26 or 27, so he’s a bit more mature and the boys really listen to him, and that experience definitely helped us in the final,” he said.

Nucifora said it was great for the club to celebrate both men and women’s Cup wins.