14 SPORT
THURSDAY 13 JULY 2023 TORRES NEWS
Erub shines in Palm’s Tribal Nines BY ALF WILSON Erub side Peiudu lost a cliffhanger grand final, 12-11, to a starstudded Hope Vale side Bagaarrmugu at the Palm Island Tribal Nines rugby league carnival on Palm Island last Saturday. Another side – Meuram – with Erub descendants of the Sam family, took out the plate final. Peiudu and Meuram were named in honour of Erub tribes. Excited Erub residents got to watch the action as it was livestreamed on the internet. Elia “EJ” Ware was coach and organiser of Peiudu and told the Torres News on Tuesday the side won all its qualifying games in the 12-team competition. “We took a lot of young players to Palm, as some of the regulars were committed to their clubs around the place,” he said. “We drove from Cairns to Townsville, caught the first ferry to Palm and stayed at the tent city.” He said he particularly wanted to thank carnival co-ordinator Norman Bounghi “for all he did for us”. “Also Blacky Miller for linking families together, Mayor Mislam Sam for his hospitality, Jacob Pilot for driving the bus, Harry Reuben for opening his home for the players and the Masig families who accommodated some players,” he said. He said Josh Mene,
Referee shortage forces cancellation BY ALF WILSON A shortage of rugby league referees to control senior games in the Torres Strait and NPA forced the cancellation of matches in the NPARL competition in Bamaga last week. Long-time referee Rod “Hairy” McCrae, who has been either a field referee or touch judge at Torres Strait, NPA and Cape York carnivals and competitions since 1989, told the Torres News the shortage affected many areas. “It costs comp organisers a lot to get referees from Cairns to the Torres Strait or Bamaga for matches,” he said. The veteran said at the recent Island of Origin, nine refs or touch judges had come from Cairns. “There were also three referees from Sydney,” he said.
He said the only cost-effective answer was to have trained and qualified local referees. “Some are reluctant to be referees, they do a good job but cop criticism in the week after games from fans of clubs,” he said. However he said having local referees was not ‘mission impossible’. “I was up at the Battle of the Gulf competition at Normanton recently and they had very good local referees there,” he said. On a positive note, it was understood local referees would be ready to officiate at the Zenadth Kes Rugby League competition on Waiben when it kicks off. The four competing clubs registered by the cutoff date of 30 June were premiers Roosters, Suburbs, Mulga Tigers and Pioneer Knights.
TOP: Peiudu. BELOW: Meruam–Erub. Pics by Elia Ware. James Frazer, George Reuben, Konsagan Nona and Jaffa Cook were amongst their best. Second side, Meuram, won $10,000 prize money for defeating Kaanju from Cape York in the plate final. Organised by Raoul Miller, the team included boys living on Palm with Erub descent. They incuded Mislam Sam jnr, son of Mayor Mislam Sam snr, Arona Miller, Raoul himself, and other members of the Sam family. An Erub resident, who chose not to be named, said most of the island watched as the day unfolded.
“Many on Erub watched it from that link on their home televisions and it was exciting and good football,” he said. “We are proud of the teams.” Commentators on the livestream were full of praise for Mr Bounghi, who said families from across Queensland were there. “The event is in honour of our past elders who were forcibly removed from the island never to return to their homelands,” Mr Bounghi said. Mr Bounghi was a genuine ‘Jack of all Trades’ on the day, and was even called up to referee the finals games.
Bagaarrmugu, who won $35,000 for their effort, included quality footballers such as Clinton and Darryl Pearson along with Dwayne Bowen. Carnival rules stipulated teams entered had to have players with connections to the island through more than 40 different tribal groups who were forced to live there in generations past. The competition was one of several highlights of Palm Island’s NAIDOC celebrations. Over the week sports fans on Palm and visitors also enjoyed a boxing tournament and a hotly contested netball competition.
Pride loses to Seagulls at home BY ALF WILSON Star Erub United back Julian Christian scored a try in the Northern Pride’s 30-14 loss to the Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Barlow Park in Cairns on Saturday. Julian, who is also in the Cowboys 30-man first grade squad, scored at the 18th minute and continued his good form for the Pride. His try was the only one for the Pride in the first half and at the break the Seagulls led 24-4.
Dominic shines in loss to Blackhawks Two tries by flying Cape York back Dominic Macumboy was not enough for the Ipswich Jets in their 40-26 loss to the Townsville Blackhawks in round 17 of the Queensland Hostplus premiership. The Blackhawks staged a
second half comeback after trailing 22-10 at halftime in the match at North Ipswich Oval on Saturday. For the Blackhawks, Erub United forward Jayden Hodges and Gehamat Shibasaki played major roles.
Bears outcome the Hunters The PNG Hunters enjoyed a massive home support crowd in their 30-22 loss to the Burleigh Bears at Port Moresby on Saturday.
Tristan scores for Magpies Brisbane Broncos back Tristan Sailor scored a try at the 36th minute when the South Logan Magpies beat the Falcons 34-20 at Logan Metro Oval on Saturday. The youngster has filled in twice for the Broncos in NRL games this season replacing normal fullback Reece Walsh who was either on State of Origin
duty or suspended. The Capras were sitting sixth in the 15 club comp, the Northern Pride seventh, Blackhawks 10th, Hunters 11th and the Cutters 14th.
Hastings Deerings Colt Premiershsip Round 12 Rising Torres Strait Islander star “Deadly” Dudley Dotoi and skilful PNG player Ragarive Wavik scored 30 points between them during the Townsville Blackhawks 62-6 win over the Clysdesdales on Saturday. Dudley scored two tries at the 22nd and 24th minutes for eight points. Dudley played as a centre, Ragarive at five eighth and David Mills-Prior lined up on a wing as part of a slick Blackhawks backline. The Blackhawks side, coached by well-respected Roy Baira, scored 11 tries to one.
Great effort from Seb
ROUND UP BY ALF WILSON
Sebastian “Seb” Kris continued his try scoring form for the Canberra Raiders in their win over the St George Dragons 36-26 on Friday night in round 19 of the NRL at WIN Stadium. When Seb dummied to the right and cut through the defence, the Raiders were home and it was the Dragons third-straight loss. In another great passage of play the aerial dominance of Seb continued when he tapped a high bomb back to a team mate who scored. Under coach Ricky Stuart Seb has developed into one of the better fullbacks in the NRL and is a ‘must’ selection each week for the Raiders.
AJ gets few scoring opportunities Speedster Alex “AJ” Johnson had few scoring opportunities when his team the South Sydney Rabbitohs lost 36-32 to the Canterbury Bulldogs
on Saturday at Accor Stadium. The Rabbitohs were without several players, thanks to the State of Origin, including five eighth Cody Walker who has formed a great combination with AJ in try scoring blitzes in recent games. Placed second last on the NRL ladder, the Bulldogs were well in the lead but the neversay-die Rabbitohs scored two late tries to almost steal the win.
and were swamped by Maroons supporters at a big fan’s day last week in Cairns. The Broncos, Cowboys, Knights, Panthers, Roosters, Sea Eagles and Storm all had byes. That will ensure star Broncos five eight Ezra Mam is fresh and fighting fit for the clash with the Bulldogs in round 20 on Saturday at Belmore in Sydney. Also on Saturday the Cowboys will meet Manly Sea Eagles at Four Pines Park in Sydney. This is a vital match for both teams who are battling to gain top eight spots.
Cowboys bid for reserve grade entry into Queensland Hostplus Cup “Hammer” in Cairns for State of Origin fan day. Pic thanks to QRL.
Dolphins cliffhanger win without Hammer On Sunday the Dolphins scored a nail biting 23-21 win over the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Stadium courtesy of a penalty goal in extra time. Whilst the Dolphins were without champion Saibai Islander back Hamiso “Hammer” Tabuai-Fidow, the Titans were also missing Badu star David Fifita. Both were in the Queensland Origin team which played last night
The Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans have applied to have sides join the Queensland Hostplus Cup for next season, into what would be an expanded 17-club comp. At present Cowboys affiliate with the Mackay Cutters, Townsville Blackhawks and Cairns Northern Pride. The Titans were partnered with the Tweed Heads Seagulls after Brisbane Broncos forged links to the Burleigh Bears. The Dolphins were affiliated with Norths Devils, who were formerly tied to the Broncos.
