Rabbitohs beaten in Far North

Andrew Piva

Thursday, July 17, 2008

A LATE try to Daniel Kepa helped the Cairns District Junior Rugby League under-16 side keep its unbeaten record for 2008 intact against the visiting South Sydney Harold Matthews team at Jones Park.

In wet and greasy conditions on Tuesday night, Kepa showed slick fingers to pounce on a loose ball and run 40m to score the points that gave Cairns a 30-28 victory.

The reigning North Queensland champion had a comfortable lead a halftime but was forced to fight for its win when a resurgent South Sydney emerged from the break.

Cairns coach Greg Malenstein said respecting possession was the key to his side’s victory.

"With it being a rainy night I think it was always going to come down to whichever side made less mistakes," he said.

"The boys played really well in that first half. We had more possession and were able to turn that into points.

"The second half was the other way round. We made a few errors and let them back into the game.

"We’ve got some class backs that can score tries but our defence was outstanding and that’s what won it for us."

Hooker Matt Fry was named Cairns’ best forward, while No.7 Ashley Currie was named best back.

Cairns’ next challenge is a game against a touring Yorkshire schoolboys’ team on August 4.

Score: Cairns 30 (Ashley Currie 2, Matt Fry, Jeremy Yorkston , Jayden Hodges, Daniel Kepa tries; Daniel Kepa 1 goal, Clifford Beetham) d South Sydney 28.

<strong>On the burst: </strong>Cairns under-16 player Dean McDonald looks for a way through the South Sydney
defence in wet conditions at Jones Park.

On the burst: Cairns under-16 player Dean McDonald looks for a way through the South Sydney defence in wet conditions at Jones Park.

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