Sport
29 July, 2024
Roosters hold out the Sharks in tight match
RELENTLESS goal line defence in the second half has seen the Atherton Roosters hold out the Mossman Sharks 26-18 in wet and trying conditions at Atherton’s Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium on Saturday night.
The Roosters responded to their last start loss to Innisfail in emphatic fashion to race to a 22-0 lead after just 20 minutes.
After taking a 26-6 lead to the break, the Roosters went off the pace in the second stanza and were full of ball handling errors.
Mossman dominated possession and field position for most of the second half which gave them a strong chance in saving the points.
The Roosters goal line defence was tested many times, with Mossman breaking through twice to score all the points in the final half.
Coach Joel Riethmuller said errors cost the Roosters in the second half.
“We lost a bit of concentration in the second half, we lost our shape a bit,” he said.
“They (Mossman) must have had a tune up at half-time cause they played much better in the second half. They are a tough side and they had a few players back in from the Pride.
“But our boys did a good job - we had done enough in the first half, and I was happy with the defence we put on, we only gave them 18 points which is under our target.
“A few of older experience players carried the ball well, and putting Jayden Connors back to fullback made a big difference.”
Connors scored a try, kicked three conversions and two penalties to contribute the scoreboard. Ryan Madua scored two tries for the team.
Saturday’s win keeps the Roosters in fifth spot on the FNQ rugby league first grade points table.
The Roosters play the Tully Tigers, who are second last on the ladder, on Saturday at home and hope to notch up another victory, especially given the club will be playing host to reunion celebrations. The final round will also be played at home against Edmonton.
“We just take it a week at a time and build on our performances each week,” Joel said.
“The boys just have to believe they can win – they are both winnable games.”
