Sport
14 June, 2021
Gators fall behind Ivanhoes
THE Mareeba Gladiators have been struck another blow as they faced Ivanhoes at Davies Park last Saturday, going down with a two-point difference losing 14-16.
THE Mareeba Gladiators have been struck another blow as they faced Ivanhoes at Davies Park last Saturday, going down with a two-point difference losing 14-16.
Davies Park was alive last Saturday as the stands were overflowing with spectators for the clash, many there for a special Mareeba Old Players and Supporters (MOPS) exhibition match.
Preceding the main event of the night the MOPS got onto to field with the old players from Mossman, getting rid of some cobwebs and bringing an energy to the crowd and the field.
The A-grade match up between the Gators and Ivanhoes got off to a slow start before Mareeba’s Sonny Rea opened the score.
Ivanhoes played the patient game as they used their fitness to tire down the Mareeba side, Ivanhoes answered back in time with a try of their own.
Gators George Major was the next player to get over the line and things were looking up for Mareeba just five minutes before the half.
Ivanhoes turned up the heat after the half using their tried and tested quick run and gun style, breaking through the gators line scoring their second try quickly followed by a third.
A magnificent full field try by 39-year-old Dryston Hayes lit the fire underneath the Gators with the conversion barely missing, bouncing off the post securing the Gators demise.
The game ended at 14-16 with successful conversions the obvious deciding factor in the matchup.
Mareeba Gladiators captain coach Trent Barnard said despite going down it was a fantastic game to watch.
“The last few weeks we’ve started to turn things around and tonight anyone could have won,” he said.
“If we would have kicked our goals we would have won same as last weeks, but I can’t put that on poor Trezman he’s only young and he does a lot of good stuff for us.
“There were a lot of good signs there, the balls just not bouncing our way.”
Up next for the Gators they face off against the Atherton Roosters at Davies Park for the first game in the Tableland Cup.
