22 SPORT
THURSDAY 8 JUNE 2023 TORRES NEWS
Cotter named ‘Man of the Match’ in Origin 1 BY ALF WILSON Residents of Boigu, Saibai and Badu islands had special reasons to cheer when Queensland beat NSW 26-18 in the first State of Origin series match last Wednesday at Adelaide Oval in front of more than 48,000 spectators. Forward Reuben Cotter was named Man of the Match for his tireless display over the 80 minutes. Hamiso Tabuia-Fidow scored two tries and David Fifita also had a strong game. “Hammer” scored at the seventh and 73rd minutes and was dangerous from his position at centre every time he touched the ball – he also ran 143 metres. Reuben made an amazing 34 tackles in the toughest rugby league match in Australia. David was once again as tough as nails, at one stage he had blood coming from a head wound. TSIRC Division 1 Councillor for Boigu Island Dimas Toby said all of the Boigu families were really proud of them. “I watched the game in Cairns with my family,” he said. “My son, aged 15 years old, was playing for Cairns Kangaroos and was definitely very proud for Rueben, the ‘Boigu man’ and idolizes
Hamiso – Badaim/shark fins are his Totem.” TSIRC Saibai Island Cr Conwell Tabuai, an uncle of the Hammer, was glowing in his praise of the trio. “All the Queenslanders and both Maroons and Blues supporters are very proud of them reaping the region and the state,” Cr Tabuai told the Torres News. Waiben rugby league identity Frank Cook, who has been involved with local club Suburbs for more than 40 years, watched the match at home on the box. He said he was highly impressed with the trio and said they were role models for youngsters, and helping to break down barriers in leaps and bounds. “The effort by Reuben was priceless and made me breathless,” he said. “He was everywhere when the Maroons needed him. “Hammer was very good and scored two tries and is a natural talent. “David is a proud Badu Islander and grew up with us up here and is now an elite talent.” Frank said the effort by Hammer and Cherbourg lad Selwyn Cobbo to each score two tries, as well as one to nonIndigenous five eight Cameron Munster, was a real message for
Reconciliation. “Here we had a Torres Strait islander, an Aborigine and a non-Indigenous player all combining showing how we can combine and connect and it is a good message towards Reconciliation,” he said. “My advice to all players is not to try to be 100 per cent better than the opposition but 1 per cent better.” Everybody said they were looking forward to the second Origin clash on Wednesday 21 June at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, when the Maroons can wrap up the series with a victory. MAROONS WIN LADIES ORIGIN Meanwhile the Queensland Maroons ladies team defeated NSW 18-10 in the first Ampol State of Origin game at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta last Thursday night in front of a crowd of 12,972. The game was broadcast live on FOX Sport. The second and final ladies Origin series match will be played in Townsville on Thursday 22 June. Under this year’s points aggregate rules system, anything other than a loss by eight points or more will be enough to take control of the shield, which NSW won in 2022.
Edrick’s third week of doubles BY ALF WILSON PRIDE FLY OVER JETS Northern Pride had a convincing 30-18 win over the Ipswich Jets at North Ipswich Oval on Saturday in round 12 of the Statewide Hostplus Cup. They ran in five tries to three, and now sit ninth on the ladder in the 15-club comp. TWO TRIES FOR EDRICK Tall winger Edrick Lee continued scoring efforts, snaring two four pointers in his CQ Capras 20-18 loss to the Brisbane Tigers at Totally Workwear Stadium. It was the third week in a row Edrick has registered two tries, and he looks ready to return to the Dolphins NRL team soon. GIDEON HITS FORM FLYING winger Gideon Gela-Mosby scored a try for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in their 38-12
win over the Townsville Blackhawks in round 12 of the Hostplus Queensland Cup. Former Cowboy and Erub United carnival star Gideon was a danger every time he received the ball and crossed for his four pointer at the 21st minute. It was 12-all at halftime but the Seagulls took control after the break. HUNTERS BIG WIN Buoyed on by a huge parochial home crowd at PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby, the Hunters defeated the Tweed Head Seagulls 38-14 on Saturday. Visiting teams find it difficult to come away with the points there and the Hunters try scorers were Tommy Moide, Junior Igila, Morea Morea, Rodrick Tai, Solo Wane and Junior Rop. Sharp shooter Jamie Mavoko booted five goals in a game in which the Hunters led 18-12 at halftime.
BAIRA SHINES FOR DOLPHINS Promising youngster Brenton Baira scored a try for the Dolphins in their 44-12 victory over the Clydesdales at Kayo Stadium Redcliffe on Saturday. CUTTERS END A DROUGHT Mackay Cutters scored their first win of the season when they beat the Falcons 16-10 at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday. The Capras are placed fifth of the ladder, the Northern Pride seventh, the PNG Hunters 10th, the Townsville Blackhawks 12th and the Mackay Cutters 14th. Next weekend on Saturday the Capras meet Tweed Seagulls at Piggabeen Sports Complex, PNG Hunters v Western Clydesdales at Santos National Football Stadium, Burleigh Bears v Norths Devils at UAA Park, Sunshine Coast Falcons v Townsville Blackhawks at Sunshine
Coast Stadium, Brisbane Tigers v Redcliffe Dolphins at Totally Workwear Stadium and Mackay Cutters v Wynnum Manly Seagulls at BB Print Stadium. Northern Pride has the bye. HASTINGS DEERING COLTS PREMIERSHIP ROUND 7 In round seven of the Hastings Deering Colts Statewide premiership Townsville Blackhawks TS stars Tyreice Baira-Gela and “Deadly” Dudley Dotoi scored tries in the 32-18 win over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Jack Manski Oval in Townsville. Ragarive Wavik kicked four goals and the talented trio look set for bright rugby league futures. Mackay Cutters went down 16-10 to the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Northern Pride lost 32-28 to Ipswich Jets. Javan Mosby and Anderson Kuna scored tries for the Pride.
Rampaging Reuben stars in Cowboys stampede
ROUND UP BY ALF WILSON In what was an upset, the North Queensland Cowboys beat hot favourites the Melbourne Storm 45-20 in front of almost 19,000 spectators at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium last weekend. Scores were deadlocked 14-all at halftime then the Cowboys were inspired by a speech from coach Todd Payten at the break. The Cowboys scored eight tries to three with Reuben Cotter once again one of the best on ground. Reuben started on the interchange bench after his man of the match performance in the first State of Origin victory by Queensland over NSW just four days before. He made lots of tackles, has some strong runs and was a thorn in the side of the Storm. That win has turned the tide for the Cowboys who only a few weeks back conceded 66 points in a loss to the West Tigers.
The Cowboys moved from 16th place to 14th on the 17 club points table. The Cowboys have a bye this week before meeting reigning premiers and ladder leading Penrith Panthers Panthers on Friday 15 June 15 in Townsville. AJ IS A THREE TRY HERO A hat trick of tries by Saibai Islander Alex “AJ” Johnston was a highlight of South Sydney Rabbitohs 46-28 win over the Gold Coast Titans in NRL round 14. Queensland State of Origin forward David Fifita came off the interchange bench for the Titans just three days after starring for the Maroons in their 26-18 win over NSW. AJ has now scored 12 tries in 13 matches this season. EZRA MAM SCORES LONG RANGE TRY Young five eighth Ezra Mam continued his fine form by scoring a scintillating try in the Brisbane Broncos 20-12 win over the Cronulla at the Sharks home ground Points Bet Stadium on Saturday night. Billed as the match of the round between sides which sat second and third going into round 14, the Broncos showed great determination to win at a ground which is regarded as a Cronulla fortress. The Broncos had Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas and Tom Flegler backing up from last Wednesday night’s Origin series
opener at Adelaide Oval, while Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes played 12 minutes for the Blues. Five minutes before halftime Ezra scored his classic try and he was dangerous all night. Ezra started and finished the 90-metre Broncos when he passed the ball near his own line to send giant winger Corey Oates galloping down the touchline and backed up to collect a kick from his winger and score. The humble Ezra was asked about the try by a FOX Sport commentator after the match and replied, “I got a lucky bounce.” The Broncos led 14-6 at halftime and never looked like being overhauled. The Broncos will host the Newcastle Knights at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. BRENKO LEE INJURED IN LOSS Impact centre Brenko Lee left the field injured in the first half of the Dolphins 30-8 loss to the Warriors in Auckland last Saturday. Astute Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett rested two try Queensland Maroons State of Origin star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for the clash. The Dolphins will take on the Manly Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park in round 15, the first time the sides have met. Hamiso will take his place in the side which is good news for Dolphins supporters.
Obe Geia Challenge popular BY ALF WILSON Eleven primary school teams competed at the annual Obe Geia Rugby League Challenge on Palm Island, two of which were locals from Bwgcolman State and St Michael’s Catholic schools. The Obe Geia Challenge was established in 2009 by the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys to bring communities together and promote the importance of inclusion in North Queensland. It is named in honour of Palm Islander Obe Geia Jnr (pictured), who was at the games, and played two matches for the Cowboys in 2008. North Queensland Toyota Cowboys ambassadors Ray Thompson and Tahlulah Tillett attended the carnival to cheer the players on. The day was enjoyed by all involved and featured a strong cultural
education component, with students having the opportunity to experience first-hand the beauty of Palm Island, its people and their culture. The grand final was won by St Clare’s Catholic School who beat Marian Catholic School. Pic courtesy Cowboys.
