Sport
18 September, 2026
Flying start to cricket season
WHILE junior basketball winds up as U12s take on best at Queensland champs
Cricket
FAR North cricket got off to a flying start in round one, with Norths producing the biggest batting performance of the weekend and Mulgrave Heischler stealing the spotlight in a thrilling one-wicket contest.
Norths made an early statement, posting an imposing 4/233 before dismissing Rovers for 183 to claim a 50-run victory.
Norths’ strong batting display set the tone for the round, with Rovers unable to match the home side’s total despite making a solid 183.
There was little doubt about the result in the clash between Mulgrave Punjabi and Atherton, with Punjabi cruising to a comprehensive victory.
Mulgrave Punjabi were bowled out for 178 but still had plenty of runs to defend, and their attack delivered in emphatic fashion, dismissing Atherton for just 59.
The most dramatic result of round 1 came when Mulgrave Heischler edged out Cassowary Coast by just one run.
Heischler posted 8/121 from their innings and looked to have set a modest target, but Cassowary Coast pushed them all the way.
Reaching 7/120, Cassowary Coast fell agonisingly short of victory, giving Heischler a thrilling one-run win and one of the round’s most memorable finishes.
The round wrapped up with another Rovers side taking the points, as Rovers chased down Barron in a convincing display.
Rovers were bowled out for 162 but proved far too strong with the ball, dismissing Barron for 107 to secure a 55-run victory.
With four matches producing plenty of runs, dominant bowling spells and a nail-biting finish, round one provided an entertaining opening chapter to the Far North cricket season.
Norths’ 233 was the standout batting total, while Mulgrave Punjabi’s demolition of Atherton and the one-run thriller between Heischler and Cassowary Coast highlighted the strength and unpredictability of the competition. If round one is any indication, Far North cricket looks set for plenty more tight contests and big performances as the season progresses.
Basketball
THE Cairns Basketball junior season has ended, with a huge week of grand finals bringing another action-packed campaign to an exciting finish.
Courts were filled throughout the week as junior players from across the association battled it out for their respective premierships, capping off a season that showcased the depth and strength of Cairns basketball.
With clubs fielding teams across the various age groups, the grand final week provided a fitting celebration of the work put in by players, coaches, referees, officials and families throughout the season.
For many of the young players, the week represented the reward for months of training and competition, with grand final basketball delivering plenty of excitement as teams fought to finish their seasons on the highest possible note.
Just as importantly, the finals provided an opportunity to recognise the broad involvement of CBI’s clubs, with teams represented across the age groups and players continuing to develop their skills and love for the game. The conclusion of the junior season, however, will provide only a short breather for the Cairns basketball community.
There is little time to rest before attention turns towards the 2026/27 summer season, with players, coaches and clubs set to return to the courts for another campaign.
In the meantime, Cairns’ next generation of basketball talent is leaving no stone unturned as the region’s under-12 teams prepare to take on Queensland’s best at the state championships in Brisbane from 24-27 September.
With the tournament fast approaching, teams across Cairns Basketball have ramped up their preparation, spending significantly more time on court as coaches look to have their young squads ready for the intensity of state-level competition. Extra training sessions have become the norm, while players have also been getting plenty of valuable game experience through scrimmages against teams from across the region. Atherton, Port Douglas and Cooktown have all provided opposition during the lead-up, giving Cairns’ young players the chance to test themselves against different styles and combinations while building confidence ahead of the trip south.
The state championships will be a major test, with Cairns set to face some of the strongest junior programs Queensland has to offer. But there is an added incentive for this group. Cairns has been waiting some time to bring home silverware from the state championships.
Editor’s note: Jake Black is Cairns Basketball’s community engagement and junior development officer.
