FNQ Rugby: JCU Mariners on top ahead of potential draw change
JCU have grabbed top spot on the FNQ Rugby A-grade ladder and it couldn’t have come at a better time, according to coach Josh Flaherty.
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JCU have grabbed top spot on the FNQ Rugby A-grade ladder and it couldn’t have come at a better time, according to coach Josh Flaherty.
Mariners defeated Brothers 22-7 at James Cook University on Saturday afternoon to lead the competition with 14 points, two points clear of the second-placed Barron Trinity.
Halfback Robert Rodokal was impressive in the win.
“He’s been around the club for a lot of years now and he’s played a lot of various positions,” Flaherty said.
“Having his experience on the field, in general play and set plays, is a big advantage for any halfback.”
It is a good time to be on top, with a slight change in the draw set to shake up the competition in the coming weeks.
Due to an event clash on the scheduled date of October 10, FNQ Rugby is expected to bring its grand final forward by one week, with its Round 7 fixtures to be played in the middle of the week to ensure a full season can be completed.
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“There’s a few rounds coming up where we’re going to be tight with games,” he said.
“My concern now is just trying to get the boys prepared for that. There’s going to be three games in a week-and-a-half, or whatever it is going to be, so it’s more sort of trying to work out how to rest and recover and keep the boys going.”
SCOREBOARD
■ MEN’S
Mudcrabs 22 d Port Douglas 19
Mariners 22 d Brothers 7
Bulls 20 d Wanderers 12
■ WOMEN’S
Wanderers 26 d Penrhyn 0
Mudcrabs 72 d Brothers 5
Originally published as FNQ Rugby: JCU Mariners on top ahead of potential draw change