Innisfail Leprechauns and Tully Tigers rugby league pre-season trial games

STORY & PHOTOS BY MARIA GIRGENTI

LAST Saturday, two Leprechauns senior rugby league teams had a long road trip and faced the Charters Towers Miners at Bill Lewis Oval, Charters Towers, in their second pre-season trial games.

At half time of the Reserve grade match, Innisfail held a six-point lead. A strong comeback by the Miners in the second half saw them score three successive tries.

Despite a try by Robert Whaleboat in the match's final minutes, a missed conversion saw Innisfail fall short by 20 - 18.

Innisfail reserve-grade try scorers: Malachi Donaldson, Tyrell Stevens and Robert Whaleboat (2). Goals: Cameron Anning 1.

In A-grade, Devante Heron scored a double, whilst Innisfail's other try scorers were Lata Fakalelu, Aaron Jolley and Michael Morton. Goals: Michael Morton 4.

At the half-time break, nothing could separate both teams at 18 - 18 until in the 50th minute when Innisfail's Aaron Jolley crossed for a four-pointer and broke the deadlock.

Another try to Innisfail extended their lead by 10 points before the Miners posted three unanswered tries to claim a 36 - 28 victory.

Last Saturday, Tully Tigers rugby league teams had their first pre-season hit out when they hosted the Mareeba Gladiators in three trial games.

Mareeba registered a 22 - 16 win over Tully in A-grade. Tully try scorers: Fabien Tauli, Alexander Smith and Maselusi Uelese. Goals: Izaak Toby 2.

In Reserve grade, Tully had a scoring fest and finished with a dominant 58 - 4 victory over Mareeba.

Tully try scorers: Samuel Ulutui, Joseph Anderson, Morgan Black (2), Paul Ketchell (2), Darian Burton, Aggie Anau and Thomas Banu. Goals: Luke

Fitzgerald 9.

Tully’s Under 18 side had a 34 - 20 win over Mareeba. Tully try scorers: Ezekiel Ivey (2), Cohen Emmi (2), Cooper McAllister and Blake Morice. Goals: Cohen Emmi 3, Phillip Coppens 2.

This Saturday, Tully Tigers teams have their second trial game in Ingham against the Herbert River Crushers.

The Far North Queensland Rugby League season kicks off on Saturday, March 25, and in round one, Innisfail Leprechauns teams face the Ivanhoe Knights at Smithfield.

Tully Tigers have back-to-back home games with Yarrabah in Round 1 on March 25, followed by Mareeba on April 1.

In Round 2, Innisfail Leprechauns host Mossman-Port Douglas at Callendar Park on April 1.