CDRL live stream: Mareeba out to end Tully’s faint finals hopes

Tully scored four tries in the last 15 minutes to overpower Mareeba and keep their slim CDRL finals chances alive. RELIVE all the action from our LIVE STREAM.

TULLY kept their slim finals hopes alive with a 36-22 triumph over Mareeba Gladiators at Davies Park.

The Tigers ran in four tries in the space of just 14 minutes to turn a 22-16 deficit into a season-saving victory.

Tully needs every result to go their way if they are to put together a miraculous run to the finasl.

Earlier, there were tries galore as Mareeba and Tully U18s opened up a big day for both clubs by sharing 70 points.

The Gladiators took the match 42-28 to keep the pressure on the top four.

In reserve grade, Tully ran out 46-18 winners.

Watch the U18 and reserve grade REPLAYS below.

TWIN TOWERS LEAD THE WAY FOR MAREEBA

They are the twin towers who are wreaking absolute havoc on the under-18s Cairns District Rugby League competition.

And on Sunday, Leon Wood and Tyrone Williams will again lead Mareeba Gladiators from the front when they host the Tully Tigers at Davies Park.

Both can play in the front or back row, have plenty of size and power on their side, and have pulled off a few successful chip-and-chase kicks to put over flying fullbacks for tries.

According to coach Bryce Morgan the pair are “halfbacks trapped in forwards bodies”.

Mareeba’s Tyrone Williams. Picture Emily Barker.

“They’re both front row forwards, but Tyrone has a bit more speed so we can use him on the edge,” Morgan said.

“We can get him into plenty of two-on-one situations.

“When they’re on song they’re getting two or three tries per game.

“And when you can get four tries a game out of two players, it’s pretty good for the team.”

And if you need any proof of this Gladiators duo’s skills, tune in to Sunday afternoon‘s live stream right here and see it for yourself.

Wood and Williams are the two leading tryscorers in the under-18s competition, with 15 and 13 four-pointers respectively.

Williams is also Mareeba’s primary goalkicker, and leads the pointscoring race with 112 points this season – 38 more than Tully’s Morgan Black.

The duo aren’t the sole reason for Mareeba’s success, but it does make a difference if the brilliant battering rams are in form.

And that’s what Morgan will hope for when his side hosts the Tigers in arguably their most important game of the run to the finals.

The teams boast an identical 5-5 record, but Tully has a slight advantage as they are yet to have a bye (Mareeba’s had one), and have a superior points differential.

The Gladiators have battled a terrible injury toll this season, with as many as 17 registered and regular A-grade players missing due to injury, work, or having moved away.

Mareeba can’t make the A-grade finals but Tully still has only the slightest mathematical chance and would need every result and margin to go their way to be any chance of finishing in the top five.

PREVIEW

Mareeba can end Tully’s faint hopes of featuring in the Cairns District Rugby League finals if they defend their home turf on Sunday.

The Gladiators have only one win from their 10 games so far this season but are desperate to double their tally in front of their home fans.

Coached by Chris Sheppard, Mareeba boasts some of the competition’s most talented and exciting players like Trezman Banjo and Hubert Elu.

Gladiators' Hubert Elu kicks off. Picture: Brendan Radke

But they will face a Tully team desperate to break through for a much-needed win and keep their season alive.

The Tigers need everything to go their way if they are to make the finals, with only advanced mathematics keeping them in contention.

But a chance is a chance and with one of the Far North’s brightest young talents steering the ship, the Tigers will be confident they can win.

Follow @MMcInerney89

Originally published as CDRL live stream: Mareeba out to end Tully’s faint finals hopes