Shock scalps boost Roosters, Mareeba
BOILOVERS have breathed life into the credentials of two lowly clubs while Atherton’s win over Brothers has put a title threat target firmly on the Roosters’ backs.
James Clark kicked the door down for a Northern Pride recall in a 25 hit-up, two-try performance on the Tablelands to lead his side to a 34-12 win.
It makes them the first team to knock off Brothers in 2018 and it was barely a contest after a scoreless opening 30 minutes with the home side building a 28-0 lead before the Fish got on the board.
Clark’s strength through the middle was highlighted early in the second half when on the third play and his second run of the set, he burst through the Brothers pack and fended off some usually stout defenders for a spectacular try.
Roosters coach Graham Clark’s aim was to make sure the club wasn’t “a joke” in its centenary year and they’re proving to be far from it after just one loss in what has been a gruelling schedule to start 2018.
“I think (Brothers) had an easy game last week and they underestimated us,” he said.
“I think they were down a little bit and we played well. I don’t think it will happen again. I think next time we play them they will be a lot better, and the conditions were good for us too.
“It was wet, slippery and once you got on a roll it was hard to stop. I thought it was a good effort from us. We were down to one fella on the bench for the last 30 minutes.
“James was outstanding for us. If he keeps playing like that, he’s got to be putting pressure on the guys above him.”
Poor execution ruined Brothers’ night in an error-riddled end to the match.
It was a great weekend all round above sea level with Mareeba celebrating their first victory of the season against Mossman/Port Douglas.
The Gladiators’ breakthrough came without key players Ben Cocciolone and Tom Hughes and despite being forced to move a prop into the centres due to injury.
The game was poised at 26all with 10 minutes remaining before Fijian flyer Aparama Vulavou nabbed an intercept against the run of play to win it.
“The boys played pretty well. We made a few errors we have to fix up but all in all it was just good to get the win,” Mareeba coach Matt Wakefield said. “It has probably been coming in the past six weeks and it’s just a reward for all the effort we’ve been putting in.
“I just think it was a matter of time before we got one and you know what, I think it’s the first of many.
“We scored a lot of tries in the middle of the park and we had a game plan to move them around a bit and I thought we did that really well.
“We held our nerve, took our opportunities and had some luck go our way.”
Josh Roos won players’ player filling in at hooker for 80 minutes for the Gladiators.
Southern Suburbs earned a 26-16 away win – their second this season – against Ivanhoes.
I JUST THINK IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WE GOT ONE AND YOU KNOW WHAT, I THINK IT’S THE FIRST OF MANY MATT WAKEFIELD, MAREEBA COACH