Wanderers cut loose

Plenty to celebrate after second win over Mariners

THE celebration wasn’t quite as exuberant but there’s no doubt Wanderers enjoyed their second straight win against JCU Mariners.

“It’s always a good time beating them,” fullback and captain Marcus Johnston said.

“It wasn’t quite as big as Round 1 but once we got in the sheds and had a beer we celebrated the win.”

The Green Machine scored a last-minute win via penalty goal in their first game back in the FNQ Rugby A-grade competition – and celebrated as if they had won a grand final – and they stuck it to the Mariners in another close contest at Jones Park last week.

Wanderers and JCU have developed one of the strongest rivalries this season, so there were plenty of big hits, exciting tries and a lot of chat on and off the field when they met.

Ultimately, the 22-19 win not only proved the first-round triumph wasn’t a fluke, but it confirmed Wanderers’ status as title contenders as the second round of fixtures began.

Johnston, above, said it was a major confidence boost for the second-placed side, which has impressed over the first six weeks of the season.

The three-point win, their fourth of the campaign, was again built on the back of the platform laid by the forwards.

It allowed the backs to do what they do best: score tries.

It is a simple game plan but it works, and given Wanderers boast one of the best backlines in the competition, the onus is on their opponents to shut down the pack before they earn the advantage.

But he warned Wanderers could become an even more dangerous opponent if his players avoided picking up more yellow and red cards.

“We’re confident in knowing we have the talent that can do it, but it’s just making sure we play together,” he said.

“We haven’t played a full game with 15 men on the field all season, so we’re confident we can be better when we keep everyone out there.”

Wanderers should ease past Brothers tomorrow night, but with that expectation – and with top spot potentially up for grabs as the Mariners travel to the in-form Port Douglas – there will be a lot more pressure on the team.

Tomorrow from 7pm Brothers v Wanderers at Stan Williams Park, Manunda.

Port Douglas v JCU Mariners at Port Douglas.

Mudcrabs v Barron Trinity Bulls at the Crabpot.

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