St Augie’s strikes Payne Cup blow

St Augustine’s College has become the first Far North school to win a game in the Payne Cup after a dominant 36-4 victory against Mareeba State High.

Both teams threw caution into the wind in an end-to-end opening 15 minutes at Mareeba’s Davies Park before Rhys Woolcott scored the visitors’ first try in the elite schoolboys rugby league competition.

Tries to Patrick Jones and Cooper Meares, and Jones’ perfect form off the boot, made it 18-0 before Mareeba struck back via winger Seamus Finlan.

But that would be the only time Mareeba troubled the scorers as Saints’ defence held strong.

Noah Dowdle, Abu-John Mye and Lucas Lane all scored for Saints in the 36-4 triumph as the Kris O’Farrell-coached side got their inaugural Payne Cup campaign off to hot start.

They will travel to Townsville next week to take on Holy Spirit College.

It was a rough afternoon for Mareeba who will take their search for a breakthrough Payne Cup win to Townsville next week, when they face Mackay State High.

St Augustine’s College overcame a slow start to win the Cowboys Challenge clash 28-8.

Mareeba scored first before Saints hit back, and the Cairns school maintained the rage with a strong second half to sweep to the 20-point win.

Meanwhile, the blinding speed of Cowboys-contracted halfback Jaxon Purdue was the fitting final stamp on a threetry scoring blitz that saw St Patrick’s College, Mackay come from behind to defeat Ignatius Park College 20-12 at Leprechaun Park in Mackay.

Iggy Park led 12-6 at halftime but a strong breeze and poor ball handling opened the door to St Pat’s comeback, with Cowboys junior Purdue beating three defenders through sheer pace on a 60m gallop.

St Patrick’s won the Cowboys Challenge clash 26-6.