14 SPORT
THURSDAY 20 APRIL 2023 TORRES NEWS
NRL round up BY ALF WILSON
learning a lot from Adam Reynolds.
TORRES Strait Islander players performed strongly for various teams in round seven of the NRL last weekend.
COTTER STARS FOR COWBOYS
KRIS CRISP IN RAIDERS WIN A best on the ground performance from Sebastian Kris of Mabuiag descent helped the Canberra Raiders to a 20-14 win over St George Dragons on Sunday. Lining up at fullback, Sebastian made many powerful runs and was also solid in defence. Seb, as he is known by teammates, scored the Raiders first try at the 45th minute and ran more than 170 metres. It was the Raiders third win of the season, and they have a bye next weekend in round eight. Raiders coach Ricky Stuart faces a tough decision the following week in round nine after Sebastian’s strong recent performances. Normal fullback Xavier Savage’s will be available for selection in round nine after returning from injury via the NSW Cup on Sunday.
MAM TRY IN BRONCOS BLITZ
Young Torres Strait Islander Ezra Mam (above – pic Broncos) was a prime mover in a second half blitz which led his side the Brisbane Broncos to a 43-26 victory over the Gold Coast Titans at Robina on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd of 26,563 fans for round seven. Just before halftime the Titans, led up front by David Fifita, were 14-6. Ten minutes into the second half Ezra and Broncos fullback and crafty halfback, Adam Reynolds, sparked a blitz which resulted in four quick tries. At the 64th minute Ezra gleefully accepted a pass from Walsh to score under the posts. After the final siren Ezra told FOX Sport commentators he was
Rampaging forward Reuben Cotter was one of the best on the ground in the North Queensland Cowboys 22-14 loss to the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium in New Zealand on Saturday. Reuben came off the Cowboys interchange bench in the 25th minute and finished the game with a wonderful 148 run metres. Just before halftime Reuben busted the Warriors defence to score his third ever NRL try. Cowboys coach Todd Payten will focus on defence before Saturday’s match in Townsville against the Newcastle Knights. The Cowboys have now won just two matches from the first seven rounds.
GAGAI’S HEARTBREAK It was heartbreak for the Newcastle Knights players, including star back Dane Gagai, when they lost 16-15 to premiers Penrith Panthers in an extra-time golden point thriller on Saturday night. Dane set up a Knights try by firing out a precision pass to Tyson Frizell. A crowd of 26,084 watched the game at the home ground in Newcastle and it took a field goal by Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary to seal the win. Centre Gagai will have a big contingent of supporters in Townsville to see the Knights clash with the Cowboys in round 8.
SAIBAI ISLANDERS ON BOTH SIDES Flying winger Alex Johnston (below – Pic Rabbitohs) also scored a try in the South Sydney Rabbitohs Dolphins 36-14 win over the Dolphins at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium last Thursday night. Star Dolphins fullback Hamiso TabuaiFidow and hard running centre Brenko Lee both Torres Strait Islanders had fair games.
Junior players enjoy footy camps STORY BY ALF WILSON PICS BY SYLVIA HARRY Junior rugby league QRL/ NRL development camps and clinics held over the school holidays on Warraber and Moa (Kubin) Islands were a great success. Warraber Cr Kabay Tamu said about 70 juniors aged six to 12 attended. “They were from Warraber, Iama, Poruma, Erub and Masig and were billeted by locals families here,” Cr Tamu said. “Tackling skills were done on a beach at the back of the island and everybody enjoyed it.
RISING STAR: Teleke Mene.
“Some of the parents of the kids came to Warraber by boat to watch it.” Heavy rain on day two which flooded the local football oval failed to daunt organisers or the kids. “We had to move that day indoors but everybody was happy,” he said. Whilst the focus was mainly on football, there were also stalls which gave participants an insight into potential careers when they leave school. The day two night session focused on local heroes with guests including former-NRL Allstar Latoya Billy and
Townsville Blackhawk Tekelu Mene; education speaker Ramiyah Tamu; Pryce Tamu from the Air Force and TSRA Senior Ranger Central Cluster Coordinator Laura Pearson speaking about local careers. The camp was hosted and run by Surumau Gladiators Football Club in partnership with the QRL, NRL and TSIRC. Cr Tamu said he wanted to thank sponsors and funders TSIRC, TSRA, Queensland Health (KCD), CEQ (IBIS) and Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab as well as volunteer caterers. Torres and Cape York
Operations Manager Terry Abednego, NRL representatives Tyson Phineasa from Cairns, Brisbane’s Jason Perry and Regional Wellbeing Officer Coco Quirke were also there. Cr Tamu said Coco took the opportunity to speak to the Surumau Gladiators players about social and emotional wellbeing. “The boys also had training sessions with QRL and NRL staff,” he said. He said he was certain many champions of the not too distant future were unearthed at the camp.
