Sport
21 June, 2026
Plenty of excitement in three codes
THE latest round of Far North Queensland rugby union and soccer delivered plenty of excitement, with close finishes, high-scoring performances and important victories shaping the respective competitions.
In basketball, Cairns Marlins and Cairns Dolphins have continued their perfect starts to the 2026 NBL1 North season, extending their unbeaten records to 9-0 after completing a commanding double-header sweep over Rockhampton and Brisbane across the weekend.
Rugby union
IN rugby union, the reserve grade competition produced two thrilling contests.
The Reds edged out JCU 29-27 in a match that went down to the wire, while Barron claimed a dramatic 32-31 victory over Cairns Penrhyn in another one-point thriller. Both matches showcased the competitiveness of the reserve grade ranks, with teams fighting until the final whistle.
The senior competition saw the Reef Raiders secure a hard-fought 33-27 win over Southside. In a contest featuring plenty of attacking flair, the Raiders were able to hold off a determined Southside outfit to collect valuable competition points.
Barron produced the most dominant performance of the round, overwhelming the Mud Crabs 59-10. The Bulls ran in points at will, controlling the contest from the opening stages and underlining their credentials as one of the competition’s leading sides. Their attacking efficiency and defensive pressure proved too much for the Mud Crabs, who struggled to contain Barron’s momentum throughout the afternoon.
Soccer
MEANWHILE, the local soccer competition also delivered several important results.
Innisfail recorded a narrow 3-2 victory over Edge Hill in one of the matches of the round. Both teams created numerous opportunities, but Innisfail did enough to secure all three points.
Mareeba continued its strong form with a convincing 3-1 win over Stratford. Mareeba controlled large portions of the contest and capitalised on their scoring chances to claim another important victory.
Southside was equally impressive, defeating Leichhardt 3-0 in a commanding performance.
A disciplined defensive effort combined with clinical finishing ensured Southside never relinquished control of the match.
Douglas Dragons were the only team not in action this weekend, receiving a bye as the competition schedule rolled on.
With several close contests and standout performances across both codes, the race for finals positions continues to intensify as the season progresses.
Basketball
THE Marlins showcased their offensive firepower in both victories, first dismantling Rockhampton 118-85 before backing it up with another emphatic performance in a 114-89 win over Brisbane.
The back-to-back victories highlighted Cairns’ depth and scoring efficiency as they continued to establish themselves as one of the competition’s benchmark teams.
Against Rockhampton, the Marlins controlled the contest from the outset, piling on points in transition and capitalising on their opportunities at both ends of the floor.
Their 33-point victory was followed by another polished display against Brisbane, where a balanced team effort and relentless pace helped them pull away in the second half to secure a 25-point triumph.
The Marlins coaching staff stated how “incredibly proud” they have been of the squads effort and intensity each week.
The Dolphins were equally impressive as they maintained their unbeaten record with victories over Rockhampton and Brisbane.
Cairns opened the weekend with a strong 103-90 win against Rockhampton, overcoming a determined opposition with a composed offensive performance and disciplined defence.
They then completed the road trip in style, defeating Brisbane 90-82 in a hard-fought contest. While the margin was closer than their previous outing, the Dolphins once again demonstrated why they remain among the league’s elite, producing key plays down the stretch to seal the eight-point win.
The undefeated start marks a significant achievement for both Cairns programs, with the Marlins and Dolphins now sitting at 9-0 and firmly entrenched at the top end of the NBL1 North standings.
With momentum building and confidence growing each week, both teams continue to send a strong message to the rest of the competition. As the season progresses, the challenge for the rest of the league will be finding a way to halt the impressive winning streaks of Cairns’ two powerhouse squads.
