Sport
13 July, 2026
Chooks secure another win
THE Atherton Roosters are back to flying form following another win at the weekend, while the Mareeba Gladiators went down by just two points.
The Roosters found themselves a 36-30 win over the Ivanhoe Knights at their home ground in Smithfield, while the Gladiators lost 22-24 playing away against the Innisfail Leprechauns.
ROOSTERS vs KNIGHTS
IT was a try scoring frenzy in Smithfield at the weekend, with both teams scoring six tries each throughout the match.
Ivanhoes hit the front foot early, with tries coming in the 11th and 17th minutes. The Roosters soon found the line however, with second rower Riley Flute crossing over in the 22nd minute.
Roosters fullback Regan Herd then found two quick tries, crossing the line in the 26th and 30th minutes, which brought the score to 18-10. The Roosters added another try to the board just shy of halftime, giving them a 24-10 lead heading into the break.
The Knights struck first in the second half, with hooker Zane Knowles crossing the paint. However, Herd soon found another try in the 56th minute to claim his third for the match.
The Knights then began mounting a comeback, scoring another two tries in the ensuing 15 minutes to bring the score to 30-26 – still in favour of the Roosters.
With just five to minutes to play, Roosters centre Brad Hammond crossed over to score what was likely the match-winner, as Ivanhoes would score in the dying minutes to add another four points to the board. The Roosters sealed the game at 36-30, with Herd claiming a hattrick and kicking 6/6 conversions – earning him 24 points for the game.
The 2026 FNQ Rugby League Women’s competition also played its final regular season game of the year, with the Roosters Women taking a 32-14 loss to the Ivanhoe Maidens.
Despite the result, the Atherton women finished third on the ladder and will line up against the Southern Suburbs in a knockout semi final next Friday 24 July. The Roosters Reserves took a 32-20 loss, while the Under 19s won 32-20.
There will be no games played this weekend due to the Cairns Show.
GLADIATORS vs LEPRECHAUNS
THE Gladiators put up a gallant fight against the second-placed Leprechauns at the weekend, just barely losing 24-22 after a last-minute try sealed the game for the home side.
Mareeba had the upper hand after the first half siren sounded, heading back to the sheds with a 12-6 lead. Tries came from hooker Bailey Aldridge (18th minute) and centre Leslie Bassani (28th minute).
The Leprechauns put one on the board just four minutes into the second half but Mareeba went on to score two more in the 50th and 60th minutes, this time through five-eighth Denzel King and fullback Ty Grogan respectively, which brought the score to 22-10.
Innisfail couldn’t find any more points until the final 10 minutes of play, which ultimately lead to Mareeba’s demise.
The home team first crossed the line in the 70th minute but didn’t go over again until there was just three minutes on the clock, which brought the score to 22-20.
However, a miraculous try right on the halftime hooter from second rower Ethan Vick delivered the killer blow to the visitors. The Gladiators left Innisfail with a heartbreaking 24-22 loss.
The Gladiators Reserves also just fell shy of a win, going down 20-16, while the Under 19s celebrated a 40-28 victory.
There will be no games played this weekend due to the Cairns Show.
