JCU destroy Port Douglas 52-14

By Michael Warren, Cairns Post

FOR the second time this season, JCU have exacted revenge on Port Douglas for last season’s grand final loss, with a 52-14 win on Saturday at Raider Park.

Their round-nine victory follows a 26-19 March 1 win against the same opposition and finally rids the Mariners of any lingering demons after losing last year’s decider.

“It was a great game. Credit to Port Douglas – they are struggling for numbers but they definitely put in a committed effort against us,” JCU coach Dave Norton said.

“They’ve had a few retirements following their grand final win, which has probably made things a little bit harder for them.

“But Port Douglas are always tough at home; we knew heading into this game they would be.”

An undermanned Raiders side played with 14 players and despite an injury to captain Adam Calcraft still managed to hold JCU to just a 19-7 half-time lead.

But the tired home side couldn’t contain a rampant Mariners in the second half.

“It was a pleasing effort, but again full credit to Port Douglas, guys like Simon Chick and Adam Calcraft are great ambassadors for their side and they tried really hard against us,” Norton said.

Christian Aruha, Mitch Francis and teenager Lachie Rowe were among the best players for the visitors.

Norton’s Mariners now turn their attention to a resurgent Wanderers outfit on Saturday.

“Wanderers are a well-drilled team,” he said. “There is no way we’ll be taking them lightly.”

In other matches, Brothers stopped Pehnryn’s two-game winning streak, beating the Sharks 27-10, while Wanderers’ Matt Debryne scored three tries in his side’s 46-19 win over Barron Bulls.

Meanwhile, in a superb effort, Brothers raised close to $300 on Friday in a bid to help find a cure for motor neurone disease.

The MND and Me Foundation is the club’s chosen charity partner.

Source: The Cairns Post, Monday 25 May 2015
Link: http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/jcu-destroy-port-douglas-52-14/story-fnjpuwsz-1227368446197