Knights find form

IVANHOE Knights have put a slow start behind them to surge into the Cairns District Rugby League’s top five with a hard-fought victory against Innisfail in tough conditions.

Poor handling disrupted the sixth-round contest at Callendar Park, but Ivanhoes dug deep to secure a third win in four games to move into the prized positions on the table.

First-year coach Lindsay Styles said he had trusted in a group of talented footballers who played for each other, as well as for what the jersey represented, and so far they had improved every week.

Styles said the 34-20 win over the Leprechauns was the result of his team competing for 80 minutes.

“Both teams dropped a lot of ball and I’m sure neither coach would be too happy with that, but we kept turning up for the full 80,” he said.

“We converted more of our opportunities.

“We’re building. We still have a lot to work on but it’s just getting the guys up for each game.

“It’s cliche, but we really are going week by week. We are enjoying this run but have a fair few injuries to contend with.”

Rhylee and Regan Herd played together in the halves for the first time for Ivanhoe, but that lasted only 25 minutes before Rhylee was shifted to fullback to replace the injured Rhy Young.

Tim England produced another strong performance, scoring a try and getting through a mountain of work, while Zane Knowles has taken his game to another level in a string of quality outings.

Knowles finished with 14 points from a try and five goals as the Knights improved their points differential.

Ivanhoe will welcome Mareeba to Smithfield on Sunday afternoon, a game they should win to further entrench themselves in the top five.

Innisfail will travel to Tully Showgrounds for the local derby showdown against the resurgent Tigers, who have won both their home games this season.