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TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 10 AUGUST 2023
Mam stars despite leg injury
BY ALF WILSON
Electric five eighth Ezra Mam overcame a painful leg injury to shine for the Brisbane Broncos as they beat the North Queensland Cowboys 30-14 before a sellout crowd at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Ezra looked in severe discomfort and had one leg strapped but scored a try at the 52nd minute and was dangerous every time he touched the ball. The rising star also was brutal in defence often tackling much bigger opponents. He has scored seven tries in his past nine games. His usual halfback partner, champion playmaker Adam Reynolds missed the game due to a groin injury, and deputising for him was Jock Madden. The Cowboys were without quality centre Valentine Holmes who was suspended for a month. Reuben Cotter had his usual good game for the Cowboys in defence and attack. The Cowboys have dropped to ninth on
Gagai knight in shining armour A best on the ground performance from experienced centre Dane Gagai led the Newcastle Knights to a nail biting 30-28 victory over the Dolphins in front of 42,000 spectators in Perth on Saturday. Dane made numerous telling runs and was solid in defence as the Knights moved to seventh on the ladder. Winger Jamayne Isaako scored three first half tries for the Dolphins, who were inspired by Hamiso “Hammer” TabuaiFidow. Although he wore the number one jumper, Hammer lined up in the centres. The Dolphins will meet the Sydney Roosters at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium next week whilst the Knights are back home at McDonald Jones Stadium to take on the Bulldogs.
Seb consistent A position change from fullback to the centres paid handsome dividends for Canberra Raiders’ Sebastian “Seb” Kris when he scored two tries the 22-18 win over the West Tigers on Sunday. Seb scored at the
25th and 44th minutes which propelled the Green Machine into fifth spot on the 17 club NRL ladder. It was Seb’s 10th try of the season and he is fast becoming one of the most consistent backs in the comp. Later on Seb left the field with a hamstring injury at the 52nd minute and will be missed if unavailable for the Raiders next match against the Melbourne Storm.
The Rabbitohs fought back with three quick tries with the first at the 62nd minute out wide by AJ. AJ had another try disallowed just before halftime when the bunker ruled his leg had touched the side line. This week the Rabbitohs will take on the St George Dragons in Cairns in a Saturday night blockbuster.
NRLW
ROUND UP
the NRL ladder after successive losses and have a bye next round before hosting the Cronulla Sharks in the opening match of Round 25. The second-placed Broncos face the Parramatta Eels at the Gabba in Brisbane in round 24.
Fifita scores 7th for season Tough forward David Fifita scored a try at the 23rd minute when his side the Gold Coast Titans lost 28-18 to the high rolling New Zealand Warriors on Saturday night. He was, once again, one of the Titans’ best, running from dummy half to score from close range for his seventh try of the season. The 13th placed Titans will head down to Sydney to meet with the Cronulla Sharks at PointsBet Stadium while the third placed Warriors host the Wests Tigers at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.
AJ’s bumper season Winger Alex “AJ” Johnston scored a try which was the 185th of his long career when his side the South Sydney Rabbitohs lost 26-16 to the Cronulla Sharks in Perth on Saturday. The Sharks, who were inspired by Dally M winner and champion halfback Nicko Hynes, led 26-nil early in the second half.
ROUND UP BY ALF WILSON
NRLW Round 3 The Torres Strait trio of Tallisha Harden, Jasmine Peters and Sareka Mooka had strong games during the Cowboys 40-12 loss to the Brisbane Broncos in round three of the NRLW competition. A sellout crowd packed into Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Brisbane scored eight tries to North Queensland’s two in the first meeting between the two sides from the Sunshine State. The Broncos women are coached by former NRL star Scott Prince, who has been to Waiben several times to compete in the big touch carnival.
Edrick Lee with Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett in Townsville earlier in the season.
Lee scores two tries after return from injury STORY AND PIC BY ALF WILSON Lanky outside back Edrick Lee scored two tries in his return after injury when the CQ Capras beat the Townsville Blackhawks 44-22 at Rockhampton’s Browne Park on Saturday. The Capras led 16-6 at halftime and Edrick scored at the third and 62nd minutes to lead way. Edrick had lined up for the Dolphins NRL side earlier in the season when they beat the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville and showed all of the NRL experience he gained from stints with the Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights. Jayden Hodges and Gehamat Shibasaki were in the Blackhawks team who sit in 10th place on the ladder, and the Capras fifth.
Pride over Seagulls away
Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos at Townsville on Saturday afternoon. Pic supplied.
Northern Pride travelled to Tweed Heads to defeat the Seagulls 34-24 at Piggabeen Sports Complex and move to eighth on the 15 club ladder. Dantoray Lui had a good game for the Pride. The Seagulls had led
18-12 at halftime before a parochial home crowd but the Pride stormed home to seal victory.
Hunters big win at home The PNG Hunters scored a 26-22 win over the Dolphins before a big supportive crowd at Port Morseby. Hunters try scorers were Solo Wane (two), Whallan Tau-Loi, Joshua Lau 67 and Benji Kot whilst Jamie Mavoko kicked two goals. The Hunters led 8-4 at halftime and the second 40 minutes was a genuine grind by both sides.
Reuben scores a double Two tries by speedy outside back Jon Reuben was not enough for his Norths Devils who lost 42-34 to the Clydesdales at Clive Berghofer Stadium in Toowoomba. Jon crossed at the 54th and 57th minutes to give the Devils some hope after they trailed 22-6 at halftime. On Saturday in the next round
Northern Pride v Western Clydesdales at Barlow Park, PNG Hunters v Townsville Blackhawks at Santos National Football Stadium, Norths Devils v Sunshine Coast Falcons at Bishop Park and Burleigh Bears v Mackay Cutters at UAA Park.
Next Sunday
Souths Logan Magpies v Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Ron Stark Oval, Redcliffe Dolphins v CQ Capras at Kayo Stadium and Tweed Seagulls v Ipswich Jets at Piggabeen Sports Complex.
Hastings Deering Colts Premiership Round 14 Jamal Shibasaki and PNG star Ragarive Wavik shone of the Townsville Blackhawks, who defeated the CQ Capras 38-14 at Rockhampton. Ragarive scored two tries and kicked three goals for a personal tally of 14 points, whilst Jamal also scored a four pointer. The Cairns Northern Pride went down 64-4 to Tweed Seagulls at Piggabeen Sports Complex. Blackhawks sit fourth on the 14 club comp ladder, the Mackay Cutter ninth, the Capras 11th and the Pride 13th. Next Saturday in Round 15
The Pride and Blackhawks clash at Barlow Park in Cairns with kickoff at 10.15am. Mackay Cutters will meet the CQ Capras at Mackay Junior Rugby League Ground commencing at 4.15pm.
