Sport
25 August, 2025
One more chance for U19s
ATHERTON Roosters Under 19s will have to play in an elimination final this Sunday to secure a grand final appearance after losing 23-22 to Cairns Brothers in a nail-biting match on Saturday.
In contrast, Mareeba Gladiators U19 side ended their season when they were soundly beaten by Kangaroos 46-12.
The Roosters were quick out of the blocks from the kick-off, with winger Nathaniel Ross scoring in the first four minutes, but could not manage the conversion.
After a bit of arm wrestle, Waterman Noipo used his strength to push over the line for the Roosters’ second try which was converted, giving the home team a 10-0 lead.
The Roosters kept peppering the try line and took advantage of errors from Brothers to get multiple sets of six near their goal, culminating in their third try by Ross.
But Brothers kept the pressure up, causing the Roosters to make a mistake that finally allowed the Cairns team to put some points on the scoreboard through a converted try.
Just before half time, the Roosters sealed a penalty goal, taking the scoreline to 14-6.
Brothers came out hard after the break and within three minutes, scored a converted try, and then backed that up with a great break through the Roosters line for an easy try and another conversion, putting them in the lead 18-16 for the first time in the match.
For most of the second half, it was an arm wrestle, with both teams failing to get over their try lines, but with just six minutes left in the match, Roosters’ Ross charged through to cross the line, taking the score to 22-18.
But Brothers would not be deterred, immediately striking back with an easy try and conversion, levelling the scores again.
With only seconds on the clock, Brothers managed to kick a field goal, taking the victory by just a point.
Roosters will now head to Brothers home ground next Sunday for an elimination match against the Kangaroos.
The Kangas showed their talent in their game with the Gladiators, dominating through pace, and weaving through their opposition’s line to cross the try line six times before Mareeba added some points through two consecutive converted tries.
But Kangaroos still had some petrol in the tank, scoring another two tries before the final siren, winning the game 46-12.
The Roosters play Kangaroos at Brothers home ground from 12 noon on Sunday.
