Riding high amid weekend’s talent show
SOUTHERN Districts claimed a clinical 23-point win over Port Douglas skipper Kye Chapple and his Wanderers in Sunday’s NTFL Premier League match at Norbuilt Oval, Darwin.
The Crocodiles had to work hard against the persistent Eagles before prevailing 10.10 (70) to 6.11 (47) in front of a big crowd at the rural ground.
Wanderers could not find a consistent avenue to goal despite the hard work of Neil Vea Vea around the ground and recruit Justin Maher, who showed he will be an asset.
Spearhead Chapple booted three goals despite some close attention from Keegan Dingo in the last line of defence for Districts.
Crocs premiership teammate Josh Wilson also featured for Wanderers in the loss.
■ ADELAIDE Lightning suffered its second big loss to Townsville and former Cairns Dolphin Cayla George in as many weeks after going down to the Fire by 23 points at Adelaide Arena on Saturday, 101-78.
A fortnight after losing by 42 points in North Queensland, Adelaide gave up a 20point halftime lead and was unable to reel it in.
Townsville’s outside shooting was a major difference with the Fire going six from 11 from the three-point line compared with Adelaide’s one from seven in the first half and finishing with 12 from 23.
George grabbed a nice double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds in the victory.
■ MAREEBA jockey Rachel Shred had one of her best days in the saddle of her career at Julia Creek Turf Club on Saturday afternoon.
Shred, now based in Mackay but formerly of Mareeba, rode home two winners from her five rides, both for trainer Tanya Parry.
■ KYRIE Irving scored 30 points, and Jaylen Brown added a career-high 27 as the Boston Celtics - and Far North junior Aron Baynes - won their 15th straight game with a 110-99 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday afternoon.
At 15-2, Boston leads the NBA and matched the best start in franchise through 17 games.
Baynes grabbed four rebounds and scored two points after coming off the bench for 13 minutes of game time.
The winning streak is the club’s fifth-longest, four behind the 2008-09 team that set the franchise mark. The Celtics erased a 16-point deficit to take their first lead on Brown’s three-pointer midway through the third quarter. It marked Boston’s fourth win when trailing by at least 16 during the streak. Baynes previously won an NBA championships with San Antonio Spurs. history