TOWNS UNITE FOR GLORY

SPECTATORS were treated to five brilliant matches in one afternoon on Cairns District Junior Rugby League grand final day.

The biggest margin was just two converted tries, with the other four games decided by single figures.

Cairns Brothers defeated Suburbs 24-20 in a thrilling under-17 final, while their under-16 counterparts won by the same margin against Edmonton, 26-22.

Ivanhoes got the best of Cairns Brothers in the under-15s with a 24-16 victory, while Edmonton Storm celebrated a win in the under-14 competition, beating Kangaroos 36-30.

Mareeba had high hopes of beating the Kangaroos in the under-12s, but went down 24-12.

In the Eacham District Junior Rugby League competition, more than a thousand spectators gathered at Herberton for three grand finals.

Innisfail claimed victory in the under-12s, beating Atherton Blue 18-12 with Cowboys player Jesse Delta named player of the match.

Atherton won a thriller in the under-14s against Malanda, recording a 26-22 win. Atherton’s Luke Misener was named MVP.

EDJRL president Anthony Ball said the clash was one of the best junior grand finals he’d seen.

“It was pretty incredible,” Ball said. “The match went into extra time and Atherton’s frontrower scored a late try to clinch the match.

“It was great seeing people from different towns in their colours. It took me back to the glory days and the standard of footy was excellent.”

Clayton Dalgety was best afield in the under-16 grand final, leading RavenshoeHerberton to a 36-0 triumph over Malanda.

“They’re two of the oldest towns on the Tablelands and it’s excellent to see them come together,” Ball said. “Their coach, Malcolm Gillespie, knows that the game is all about having fun and what he did with that group was great.”

Meanwhile, the CDJRL awards were also announced on the weekend.

Edmonton’s Bryce Moll was named the representative player of the year, while the volunteer of the year awards went to Kate Benson from Ivanhoes and Destin Hogan from Edmonton.

Kieran Withers was named most promising referee.

Picture: LEA COGHLAN GOING DOWN: Malanda’s Keyarn Porter tackles Clayton Dalgety during the EDJRL Under 16s grand final.

Picture: LEA COGHLAN RUN: Ravenshoe-Herberton's Justin Bevan in the Under 16s grand final against Malanda.

Picture: ANNA ROGERS IN THE AIR: Brothers Zaire Brown passes during the under 15 game against Ivanhoes.

Picture: ANNA ROGERS STRONG: Brothers Brandon Hodges is tackled in the Under 15 grand final.