CDRL REPLAYS: Kangaroos fight for finals against Atherton

Kangaroos took the next step in trying to nail down a finals spot when they face second-placed Atherton. WATCH THE REPLAYS >>

KANGAROOS overturned an early 14-point deficit then held on against the fast-finishing Atherton Roosters to seal the most important result of their season.

The Roosters romped to a 14-0 lead after 25 minutes after tries to James Clark, Connor Griffin and Nathan Curcio, but Kangaroos, on their home turf, finally switched on at the half-hour mark in the biggest test of their premiership credentials so far this season.

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Second-rower Tyson Phineasa continued his tryscoring ways to kick-start Kangaroos fightback in the 31st minute, as the Vico Oval club piled on 28 unanswered points to take a 28-14 lead with 15 minutes to play.

Atherton showcased its trademark fight with late tries Glenn Dumbrell and Curcio’s second to get within four points in the final five minutes, but Javan Mosby scored on the siren to seal the 32-24 Kangaroos win.

Earlier, second-placed Kangaroos pulled off a major surprise by putting the previously unbeaten Atherton to the sword in a one-sided U18 CDRL clash.

Kangaroos, who led 22-6 at halftime, went on with the job in the second half, eventually winning 48-12.

The Kangaroos proved far too strong in their CDRL women’s clash against Atherton, scoring tries galore in a 60-0 victory.

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PREVIEW: Kangaroos face massive Atherton test

Kangaroos’ fight for a place in the Cairns District Rugby League A-grade finals faces another tough test in the shape of second-placed Atherton Roosters.

The Vico Oval clash will headline four cracking games at the Mooroobool venue this Sunday.

Kangaroos are sixth on the CDRL ladder with seven wins in their 11 games, and are level with fifth-placed Ivanhoes.

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And you can watch all four games live on Sunday on this page.

They have won four of their last five games, but their rough road trip to Atherton in May will live in the memory.

Kangaroos hooker Jack Thomas. Picture: Brian Cassey

Atherton blew Kangaroos off the park that night, running out 40-18 winners at Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium.

But the Roosters are in now the midst of a two-game losing slide and in a three-way tie for second spot on the ladder and in the precarious position of being just one win ahead of Ivanhoes and Kangaroos.

Atherton have had a chance to reset courtesy of the bye, but the points could not be more valuable given there’s just seven rounds left in the season.

The action will kick off with a clash between the undefeated benchmark of the women’s competition and the hard-working product of a desire to develop the pathway for female footballers at the Tablelands.

Atherton’s Ned Blackman. Picture: Emily Barker.

Kangaroos are eight points clear atop the women's table, while Tablelands is fourth.

The under-18s will pit the top two teams against each other in what could be a grand final preview.

Atherton is undefeated after 10 games, with Kangaroos suffering just one loss - to Atherton - in their 10 games.

Featuring the two best attacking and defensive teams, it promises to be a cracker.

And in reserve grade, Kangaroos have taken the points after Atherton’s forfeit.

THE RESULTS

Kangaroos v Atherton at Vico Oval, Mooroobool

Women: Kangaroos 60 def Tablelands 0.

Under-18s: Kangaroos 48 def Atherton 12.

Reserves: Kangaroos won by forfeit.

A-grade: Kangaroos 32 def Atherton 24

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Originally published as CDRL REPLAYS: Kangaroos fight for finals against Atherton