DRAWN IN LATE DRAMA
A BIG win to celebrate JCU Mariners’ 40th anniversary would have been fitting for the FNQ Rugby club.
With the club hosting a number of events to mark the occasion with plenty of past players in attendance, the Mariners looked like grabbing a memorable victory on Saturday afternoon against the Barron Trinity Bulls.
Mariners led for the final 20 minutes before Barron scored a try right at the death to even the score at 17 each.
Teenage Bulls fullback Declan Meredith had the opportunity to win the game with a conversion but both clubs were forced to settle for a draw.
Bulls have been the leading club for much of season 2018 and Mariners coach Alan ‘Doc’ McMahon praised the efforts of his forwards in the tight tussle.
“We sent a bit of a warning signal to Barron because they have been pretty dominant this year as the benchmark and we were right there with them,” McMahon said.
“We had our opportunities to win the game but we did not take them.
“I think the game was pretty even when you weigh all the things up and that is a positive for us.”
Mariners President David Norton said it was a significant weekend for the Far North rugby union club.
“Saturday was one of the biggest crowds we have seen to a home game in a long time,” Norton said.
“We raised a bit of money from the weekend that will now go into our junior program.
“Hopefully a weekend like this helps to raise the profile of the sport in the region.”