Sport
2 June, 2026
Local sides remain strong
THE Mareeba Gladiators celebrated a strong 34-20 win over the Cairns Kangaroos at the weekend, while the Atherton Roosters proved too good for the Mossman Sharks in their 48-18 win.
GLADIATORS vs KANGAROOS
THE Gladiators are now four-on-the-trot after taking down the Kangaroos in Cairns on Saturday night, with winger Bronson Ryan notching up another three tries after scoring four the week prior.
Ryan claimed first points for the game after crossing the line just two minutes into play. He claimed his second just 10 minutes later to give Mareeba an early 10-0 lead.
It was then a game of back and forth after the Roos put their first points on the board in the 17th minute, with Ryan going over again just minutes later to claim a first half hattrick.
Roos soon found their second try through centre Ronan Singleton in the 28th minute, which brought the score to 14-10. However, a try just shy of halftime through Mareeba’s Bailey Aldridge extended the visitors’ lead to 20-10 at the break.
The Roos were first to strike in the second half, with winger Simon Stephen going over for his second after just two minutes of play. Not long later, a penalty in favour of the Gladiators saw goalkicker Izaak Toby add two points to the board through a penalty goal.
The Gladiators quickly followed up with another try, this time through damaging prop Caleb Dally, and extended their lead to 28-16. The Roos managed another try in the 61st minute but it was not enough to build a courageous comeback, with Mareeba soon adding another four points to the tally through centre Loui Ganaia.
A successful conversion from Toby, who kicked 4/6 as well as a penalty goal, was enough for the Gladiators to put the game away at 34-20.
The Gladiators Reserve Grade and Under 19s didn’t fare as well, taking a 44-22 and 64-6 loss respectively.
This Saturday the Gladiators will make the trek to Tully to take on the Tigers at the Tully Showgrounds. The Under 19s will get things underway from 3pm, followed by Reserve Grade at 4.30pm, and A Grade at 6pm.
ROOSTERS vs SHARKS
THE Atherton Roosters are holding steady in second place on the FNQ Rugby League ladder following a 48-18 win over the Mossman Sharks.
Roosters acting halfback and prolific points scorer Regan Herd is back to business after scoring two tries and kicking 8/8 conversions to notch up 24 points in his team’s win on Sunday.
Roosters captain-coach and backrower Justin Frain, who filled in at five-eighth, also claimed two tries for the game. Other try scorers included prop Dujuayne Sua-Bacon, centres Brad Hammond and Austin Kombo, and interchange player Jack Althaus. The Roosters, outscoring Mossman eight tries to three, finished the game with a 48-18 win.
The Roosters Women celebrated a 36-18 win, while the Reserve Grade found a convincing 44-22 win.
This Saturday the Roosters will host Smithfield’s Ivanhoe Knights as well as the Arthur Beetson Foundation Future Immortals match – featuring the likes of NRL legend Petero Civoniceva – at Mungalli Ck Dairy Stadium.
The Roosters Women will get things underway from 12.30pm, followed by the Under 19s at 2pm, Reserve Grade at 3.30pm, the Immortals match at 5pm, and A Grade at 6pm.
