RESERVE GRADE FALL AT FINAL HURDLE
Posted 10/10/2017
A promisiong season has finished agonisingly short of premiership glory for the Johnson Controls Reserve Grade side when they were defeated by Yarrabah Seahawks.
The Cairns District Rugby League Reserve Grade Final was contested between minor premiers Brothers who advanced directly to the decider, and a Yarrabah Seahawks side riding a wave of emotion and goodwill from the community as their A Grade side was also playing its first ever CDRL A Grade Grand Final.
The match was off to a promising start for the Brethren when Kane Wehi crossed and Tim Farrow converted for a 6 - 0 lead after only 7mins, but the tit-for-tat nature of the game began when Yarrabah scored a converted try in the 15th min. Kaisomo Kagey put Brothers in front again when he crossed beside the posts before Farrow added the extras, and when crafty hooker Jordan Barlow crossed at the 30th min to make the scoreling 18-6 the game could go either way.
the lead was eaten away before half time though via a converted Yarrabah try and when the break was called Brothers held a slender 18-12 lead.
It took a further 18mins of play before points were scored, again by Yarrabah to level at 18 - all when moments later the Magic Man Mikey Morris dived over from dummy half. Yarrabah again levelled the scores at 24-all in the 60th minute, and when presented an opporuntiy for points via a penalty they did not hesitate to take the safe option and the lead 26-24 with only 5mins remaining.
A miracle was needed and the angels answered when with less than 4mins remaining on the clock Brothers were awarded a penalty 30m out and directly in front.
inexplicably, Brothers opted to chase the try and 2 tackles later were unceremoniously dumped into touch, turning possession over to an elated Yarrabah. Salt was added to the wound when Yarrabah streaked away to score and take a 30-24 victory.
The match was one of great entertainment and value for spectators, and the Brothers players should all be extremely proud of what was an excellent season.