Sport
1 August, 2022
Tully upsets Roosters
THE Atherton Roosters fall from grace in the 2022 first grade premiership race continued on Sunday with a 28-22 upset loss to the Tully Tigers, while the Mareeba Gladiators celebrated their first win since May, with a 30-20 victory over Edmonton Storm.
The Roosters, playing at home at Atherton’s Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium, suffered their fifth straight defeat in as many games and again they failed to produce the spark that had them leading the points table six weeks ago.
On Sunday, Tully took all the points in the first session with three converted tries and went to the break leading 18-0 while the hosts struggled to match the Tigers energy.
One more four pointer to Tully soon after the restart pushed the visitors further ahead 22-0 before a double to Rodney Griffin got the Roosters afternoon started.
Fullback Ty Grogan followed with one of his kick a chase specials before Nathan Curcio crossed out wide and the Roosters had fought their way back to look the score up at 22 all at the 65th minute.
However, all the momentum again shifted back Tully’s way and they found the line for their winning try four minutes from the final bell.
The Roosters are presently in a form slump but remain in the top five mix and have four matches remaining before the finals to get their season back on track.
Games against Edmonton (A), Suburbs (H), Mareeba(H) and Brothers(H) finishes the Roosters premiership rounds.
Mossman are on top of the points table on 28 followed by Brothers 26, Innisfail 26, Atherton 20, Kangaroos 20, Ivanhoes 18, Suburbs 14, Yarrabah 12, Tully 12, Mareeba 8, Edmonton 2.
The Roosters won Sunday’s under 18 match 38-6 while Tully came away with a 20-16 win in reserve grade.
This Sunday, the Atherton Roosters travel away to play the Edmonton Storm, who were taken down on Saturday by the Gladiators who have not had the best of form this season and languish second from the bottom of the points table.
The Gladiators’ Tyrone Williams shone out for his team, scoring two tries, with Shaun Stephens, Justice Brown and Ian King adding to the scoreboard with one try each.
The Gladiators take on Ivanhoe Knights this Saturday at Davies Park, Mareeba.
