Torres Strait trio shine for Cowboys ladies team in debut

BY ALF WILSON

Forwards Tallisha Harden and Sareka

Mooka along with back Jasmine Peters played well for the Cowboys ladies team who lost 16-6 to the Titans in round one of the NRLW competition on Saturday.

The three Torres Strait Islanders showed great skills and will be integral part of the Cowboys women’s side in the expanded 10-team comp.

Cowboys co-captain Tallisha made several strong runs up the centre of the ruck and Sareka also proved a handful for the Titans defence early in the match at Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast.

Sareka also made lots of metres after returning to the field from the interchange bench.

Jasmine was strong in defence and also made some quality attacking runs.

The Cowboys had a great start when hooker Emma Manzelmann darted out of dummyhalf to score with a great run through the middle.

North Queensland led 6-4 at the break but the Titans started well in the second half.

Despite the defeat, Cowboys coach Ben Jeffries said there were plenty of positives after what was a historic day for the new team.

“When I first moved to Townsville in 2015 there was no women’s comp,” he said.

“I am privileged and honoured to be the inaugural coach and part of the female pathway and it is going to be here for years to come.”

The Cowboys ladies travel to Belmore in Sydney next Sunday to meet the Newcastle Knights.

In round three on Saturday 5 August the Cowboys ladies play their first home game against the Brisbane Broncos which will be a much anticipated blockbuster.

It will attract a huge crowd with people from the islands, NPA, Cape

York, Cairns, Mackay and locals there.

Jasmine and Tallisha have Badu family connections whilst Sareka is of Mabuiag Island descent.

Forward Essay Banu with Boigu family is also expected to be in the Cowboys side in coming weeks.

Queensland Cup Premiership

After a week’s break the Queensland Hosplus Cup comp starts again this weekend as round 19 where the Northern Pride will meet the Bears in an away game.

In other matches on Saturday the Blackhawks meet the Mackay Cutters at Townsville’s Jack Manski Oval and the Norths Devils take on the Ipswich Jets in Ipswich.

That will feature two of the fastest outside backs in the comp with Devils winger Jon Reuben (Darnley) in fine form and Jets centre Dominic Macumboy (Cape York) pitted against each other.

Erub United back Jon Reuben was named in the Hostplus Cup team of the week for the last round.

Jon scored two tries for the Norths Devils against Wynnum Manly Seagulls and ran 161 metres and also made three tackle breaks and had two offloads.

Hastings Deerings Colts

In round 13 this weekend the Northern Pride will meet the Bears on the Gold Coast, Townsville Blackhawks are at home to the Mackay Cutters at Jack Manski Oval, the Capras take on the Clydesdales at Toowoomba, and the Dolphins meet the Seagulls at Redcliffe.

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