Sport
3 July, 2026
Crucial triumph for Sharks
MOSSMAN Sharks have broken through for the first win in the rugby league competition, while in rugby union Port Dougals Reef Raiders keep their finals hopes alive with a win against Barron Trinity Bulldogs.
In basketball, the Cairns Dolphins and Cairns Marlins produced impressive wins against Ipswich on their home court last weekend.
Rugby league
THERE were plenty of impressive performances across the Far North rugby league competitions over the weekend, with dominant victories, high-scoring encounters and a breakthrough result for Mossman headlining the action.
In the women’s competition, Ivanhoe produced a commanding display to overpower Southern Suburbs 60-4, while Yarrabah claimed an entertaining 50-22 victory over Mossman.
The reserve grade featured several closely-contested matches alongside some convincing wins.
Southside defeated Ivanhoe 32-12, while Cairns Brothers matched that scoreline with a 32-12 success over Kangaroos.
Innisfail edged out Tully 22-16 in a hard-fought contest, Mareeba prevailed 38-30 against Atherton in a points-filled clash, and Mossman defeated Yarrabah 28-18 to round out the weekend’s results.
In the senior competition, Southern Suburbs proved too strong for Ivanhoe, running out 42-22 winners.
Innisfail continued its strong form with a 24-14 victory over Tully, while Atherton overcame Mareeba 40-24 in another entertaining encounter. Cairns Brothers were dominant in their 40-12 win against Kangaroos.
The biggest story of the round belonged to Mossman, who celebrated their first senior victory of the season with an emphatic 44-14 triumph over Yarrabah.
After a challenging opening to the year, the long-awaited win was a reward for the club’s persistence and determination.
Head coach Noel Underwood said he was delighted to see the players finally earn the result their efforts had deserved.
“I was thrilled for the group and beyond proud of the players’ resilience leading up to the game,” he said.
Rugby union
THE Far North rugby union competition delivered another exciting weekend of action, with close contests, dominant performances and a crucial victory for Port Douglas as the race towards the finals continues.
In the reserve grade, Cairns and Penrhyn could not be separated after an entertaining 28-all draw.
Both sides traded tries throughout the contest in a hard-fought battle, with neither team able to land the decisive blow as they shared the competition points.
Tablelands enjoyed a strong outing in the other reserve grade fixture, defeating Barron 34-10.
Tablelands controlled the match from the outset, producing a disciplined display in both attack and defence to secure a convincing victory and valuable competition points.
The senior competition saw JCU continue its impressive form with a commanding 41-10 victory over the Mudcrabs.
JCU dominated possession and territory throughout the match, running in a string of tries while limiting the Mudcrabs’ opportunities to put points on the board.
The closest contest of the round came between Port Douglas and Barron, with Port Douglas holding on for a thrilling 21-19 victory in front of their home supporters.
In a match that went down to the wire, both teams produced quality rugby, but Port Douglas showed composure in the closing stages to edge out their determined opponents.
The win could prove pivotal as Port Douglas continues its push towards the finals, with every competition point becoming increasingly valuable in the closing rounds of the season.
Captain Luke Edwards said the victory was exactly what the side needed to keep its post season aspirations on track.
“It was a great home victory that was much needed to continue the team’s finals push,” he said.
Basketball
THE Cairns Dolphins and Cairns Marlins produced impressive performances on their home court over the weekend, with both sides recording convincing victories over Ipswich to continue building momentum as the season enters a critical stage.
The Dolphins were outstanding in a dominant 99-52 triumph, controlling the contest from the opening tip and never allowing Ipswich back into the game.
Their defensive pressure forced turnovers throughout the match, while their fast-paced offence ensured the scoreboard continued to tick over.
Leading the charge was Mia Loyd, who delivered an outstanding offensive display with 26 points. Loyd was well supported by Summah Evans, who added 25 points in another polished performance as the pair combined for more than half of the Dolphins’ total score.
The Marlins followed with an equally entertaining performance, defeating Ipswich 106-91 in a high-scoring affair.
While the visitors kept themselves within striking distance for much of the contest, Cairns consistently found answers at the offensive end to secure an important victory.
Amarco Doyle led the Marlins with a game-high 25 points, producing another influential display that showcased his scoring ability. Kody Stattmann also made a significant impact, finishing with 21 points as Cairns maintained control during the closing stages of the game.
The Marlins’ balanced attack and ability to capitalise on key moments ultimately proved too much for Ipswich, with the side surpassing the 100-point mark in an entertaining display for the home fans.
