UNDERDOGS TRIUMPH IN CDRL
THE Leprechauns everyone expected to see in 2018 have arrived, at least for one good half in a topsy-turvy 36-26 win over Kangaroos.
Innisfail could not put a foot wrong as the home side fumbled their way through the half, taking a 30-4 lead into halftime.
But the two teams must have traded notes at the break and played the second half as their rivals did the first.
Kangaroos charged back thanks to some enterprising play from Bradley Stephen but it wasn’t enough as the Leprechauns held on despite injuries to Lachlan Biondi-Odo and Anthony Perkins leaving them with 15 fit men to end the game.
Roos half Harry Ambrym said it was a mighty spray from Michael White that inspired the comeback.
“We didn’t turn up in the first half and probably let it get it away from us a bit,” he said.
“Whitey ripped into us ... and the boys just dug deep for each other and said this is our home ground and anyone who comes here, we need to give them a touch-up.”
Leprechauns coach Leon Hallie said the first-half effort was one he’d been waiting for, but lost a few hairs after the second stanza.
“It’s always like that when you come here. You’re never comfortable,” he said.
“I was really pleased with the first half. We had the majority of possession, but we controlled the ball and that’s why we did.
“Second half we didn’t have any pill and when we did thing didn’t go our way with it, so it was a matter of hanging in there for each other, which I think we did pretty well.
“We made it hard work, but we got there.”