The longest winning streak in recent FNQ Rugby history is over despite a heavy win. ROUND 9 WRAP >>
JCU Mariners had won 30 straight games in Cairns heading into the weekend, and while they comfortably beat Mudcrabs 42-10 despite multiple injuries in a crucial position, the Northern Beaches club will be credited as the team to end the streak.
JCU fielded an unregistered player for the first few minutes of the round nine clash, and while the score remained 0-0, they barely influenced play and he was removed as soon as the error was noticed, the game is recorded as a 28-0 loss.
But that doesn’t matter.
There is no room for flexibility under FNQ Rugby competition rules, which clearly states that the fielding of unregistered player will be recorded as an automatic forfeit for the team at fault.
JCU Mariners won their second straight Rainforestation Cup, and third in four years, in 2022, and are on track to defend their title.
FNQ Rugby president Bradyn Boske said the risk was simply too high to allow for any grey areas in the rules. partly due to how a breach can impact insurance coverage of all other participants involved.
“It’s pretty serious,” Boske said. “We need to protect all of the players.
“It’s not worth the risk.”
It ends one of the most dominant winning runs in recent rugby history in the Far North, which lasted 30 games and included two premierships.
They haven’t lost since halfway through the 2021 season, when they embarked on a landscape-altering run of dominance which will sit among the best in FNQ Rugby history.
JCU is in the box seat to defend its title again and claim a fourth title in five seasons, with a healthy 14-point buffer to second-placed Barron Trinity Bulls on the Rainforestation Cup ladder despite the loss.
FULL ROUND 9 WRAP
Barron Trinity 30 def Southside 22
Barron Trinity have continued to maintain their position in second place with a tough 30-22 win against third-placed Southside.
The boot of Rhys Coutts proved the difference with his boot, converting two conversion and two penalties for a personal tally of 10 points for the match.
Bulls’ Lucas Phillips. Picture: Brendan Radke
Centre Lucas Phillips was strong for the Bulls, crossing for a double, as was Anasa Cognanilasekula in the 15 jersey.
The win moves Barron six points clear of the Southside in third place.
Southside will be pleased with the performance of Esera Fa’aofo who again was strong with two tries for the Crusaders.
Goalkicking proved to be the difference with Southside only managing one conversion.
The match also saw the return of Tobias Drahm from injury which is much needed for the men from Petersen Park.
Southside’s women proved to strong for Barron with a comprehensive 38-10 victory.
The match shaped as a close game, with the last three meeting being decided by seven points or less.
Southside’s physicality and speed of ruck ball proved to be the point of difference which the Bullettes failed to combat.
Port Douglas 45 def Wanderers 19
Reef Raiders’ Luke Edwards. Picture: Brendan Radke
Port Douglas have made it two wins in a row for the first time this season, spoiling Wanderers Ladies Day celebrations.
Frank O’Dea was brilliant off the boot converting all bar one attempt for a personal tally of 10 points.
New Hooker Jeronimo Lo Presti crossed in his first game for the Reef Raiders and provided a strong platform for the backs to attack off.
The win for the Reef Raiders sees them move to fifth, just four points off third-placed Southside.
A win against Barron this weekend will see Port Douglas move into the top four for the first time this season.
Wanderers will again be left frustrated with another disappointing result at home.
While injuries have played a role in Wanderers lean run over recent weeks, coaches Traye Hodge and Sam Delvin must be looking at all options to get the Green Machine ticking over again.
The loss drops Wanderers to bottom of the table, which is a surprise considering the calibre of players at their disposal.
Wanderers ladies also shared the same fate as the men’s team with a narrow 27-22 loss to Mudcrabs.
JCU 42 def Mudcrabs 10
The perfect season is over for JCU.
Mudcrab’s Samuel Simeon. Picture: Brendan Radke
Despite winning the game 42-10 comprehensively against Northern Beaches Mudcrabs, JCU was issued a forfeit as a result of playing an unregistered player in the match.
The result changes to a 28-0 win for Mudcrabs, ending a 30 game winning streak for JCU.
The change in result sees Mudcrabs gain the 5 competition points and move into the top 4 for the first time this season.
JCU president Sean Johnston and coaches Nick Moller and Jack De Guingand were left disappointed after the opportunity for the perfect season was wiped after a breach of the competition rules.
Despite losing the result, JCU wasn’t troubled in scoring six-tries-to-one against a Mudcrabs side that was well led by Charlie Walters and Shadrach Cane-Toby.
The result will boost the confidence of Mubcrabs moving forward for the rest of the season as they now control their own destiny to remain in the top four.
JCU will be looking to bounce back this Saturday when they travel to Jones Park to take on Wanderers, while Mudcrabs have a further opportunity to solidify their position in the top four when they take on Southside.