No breach in Mariners’ wall

JCU keeps opposition to nil for second week

JCU Mariners protected their tryline for a second straight week as Barron Trinity earned a statement win against a FNQ Rugby premiership rival.

JCU MARINERS 31 DEF SOUTHSIDE CRUSADERS 0

For a second consecutive week the defending premiers JCU Mariners kept their opposition to nil.

JCU have enjoyed the perfect start to the season with 30 points from their first six games, and have built a lead of 14 points.

Southside will be pleased with their first 20 minutes, during which they had good field position and possession, but coach Wade Munro will be disappointed not to have come away with points. FNQ centre Pa Waters had his best game of the year, being a constant threat to the JCU line with numerous strong carries and sound defence.

Pati Laumatia was industrious in the loose as was Jye Binawel in a losing side.

An area of concern was the set piece, with an inconsistent lineout. If Southside can be more clinical in that area they will be hard to stop.

The Mariners’ depth was tested with a number of starters unavailable, but Jayson Morris, Adam Du Bois and Braydn Boske stepped up.

Jesse Kaitu battled illness but put in an inspiring 65 minute performance with a number of dominant tackles to stop many Southside raids.

Jack De Guingand scored another try to take his tally to nine for the season.

MUDCRABS 24 DEF PORT DOUGLAS 12

Mudcrabs recorded their second win of the season with a sound 24-12 win over Port Douglas Reef Raiders.

A rejuvenated coaching structure at Mudcrabs has led to an improvement in the Northern Beaches side, who won only three games last year.

Coach Dennis Hearn was pleased with his side’s performance, in particular prop Dayna Martinez who was collosal at scrum time.

Inside centre Sam Simeon was strong and Fijian flyer Asiveli Rauga continued his good form on the wing.

Port Douglas misses the presence of injured backrower Santiago Carrizo Vega, and struggled to gain any continuity at the breakdown after flanker Damien Friedrichs was red carded for a high tackle.

Discipline was an issue for Port with scrumhalf Wayne Oui yellow carded for a no arms tackle in the match.

Representative outside back Cole Watson returned after he missed the majority of the past year with an injury, and Port will be hoping to keep him on the field. Port will be out to bounce back next week, but they face a tough test down the road against JCU on Saturday.

BARRON TRINITY 33 DEF WANDERERS 0

Barron sent a statement to their premiership rivals with a resounding 33-0 win over Wanderers at Jones Park.

The return of David Lui and Craig Simpson saw Barron take revenge for the round 1 loss earlier this year.

Rhys Coutts was good off the boot, converting all but one try to continue his good form.

Lucas Phillips was strong at 13 as was winger Suliano Viliame, both crossing for tries in the 33-0 rout.

The win has seen Barron move into outright second on the Rainforestation Cup ladder and a strong performance against fierce rivals Mudcrabs should see them stay there for another week.

Wanderers are back to the drawing board after a third straight loss. It doesn’t get much easier this week with a Friday night trip to Petersen Park to take on Southside.

In the women’s competition, Wanderers beat the Bulls 13- 7 while Southside beat the Mudcrabs 43-10.