Draw feels like a win to fledgling side

WHILE on the surface it may look like just a draw, the fledgling Cairns Falcons believe they have made a statement in the opening week of the 2018 Northern Queensland Gridiron season.

After struggling against the Townsville Cyclones for much of last year, the Falcons travelled south on Saturday afternoon and came away with an encouraging 20-20 draw in the first game of the new campaign.

With the bulk of the squad playing their first gridiron matches, second-year coach David Tibbetts said there were plenty of positives to take from the draw.

“I think, as a club, we have made a big statement,” Tibbetts said.

“We have crossed the threshold as a team and now we feel like a team. We have gone into battle together and we can only grow from here as the rookies understand the speed and tempo of the game that is required.

“We did not get all three of our two-point conversions, which cost us the win in the end.”

The visitors led 14-0 early on before the Cyclones brought the scoreline to 14-6 at halftime and eventually drew level late in the game. Tibbetts praised the efforts

Emosi Waqanaviti, Eric of Phillips, Mike Baxter and Vernon Walker.

“I am really proud of the guys and where they have come from as a group,” Tibbetts said.

The Falcons have the week two bye as Townsville face Mackay before Cairns host Mackay on January 27 at home.