MOUNT Isa forced Cairns to fight until the final whistle when they went down 21-13 in the first of three representative matches for the year.
It took two late penalty goals from Cairns Thunder fullback Jonny Bell to finally subdue a brave and courageous Mount Isa side in the Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies curtain raiser at Barlow Park at the weekend.
Trailing 18-13, Mount Isa went within a few metres of levelling the match with 15-minutes to go but Cairns withstood the bombardment of their line to turn back the Mount Isa charge.
Entrenched in its own 22-metres from the kick-off Mount Isa conceded the first try of the game when it could not endure a barrage of early
pressure from the host side despite showing desperation in defence.
Size and numbers had the visitors back-pedaling and when Bell crashed over out wide it was just reward for a ferocious start from the Cairns
Thunder.
R esolute and committed defence from Mount Isa ensured the score line was not extended as Cairns continued to pound the Mount Isa defensive line.
When Mount Isa' second-rower Simon Ishmael was sent from the fray for 10-minutes for a shoulder charge, Cairns pushed for a telling strike.
However, the pressure valve was released when Cody Saltmere pounced on a loose ball from a Cairns mistake.
From a quick lineout, the ball bounced into the fleet-footed centre's path.
Saltmere had a clear run to the line and he raced 65-metres to level the game at 5-all against the run of play.
The try gave the visitors a lift and after absorbing the Cairns thunder strike began to enjoy a period of territorial dominance.
Three committed charges at the Cairns line resulted in three 5-metre scrums as the Mount Isa pack led by loose forwards Cameron Moore,
Hamish Chrisp and Jeremy Biggelaar crossed the try line only to be held up.
Eventually after a fourth consecutive and powerful scrum, Mount Isa front-rower Harley Hema burrowed his way over.
At 10-5 down, Cairns attempted to assert themselves in front of a home crowd and scoreboard attendant who seemed unwilling to acknowledge the fact his side were behind.
The home team showed signs of the rustiness expected from a squad without a trial match and a combination of staunch defence and a ball
covered in tropical moisture saw Cairns squander several attacking raids.
Enjoying a 30cm height and 30kg weight advantage per man in the backline, Cairns could not convert possession into points to the frustration of the home fans and coach Troy Jacques.
Cairns finally went over for the try they were looking for in the dying minutes of the first-half when half-back Nick Sherston sliced through the Mount Isa defence.
Behind a string of penalties, a scything run from dangerous five-eighth Ernest Suavai and a surging burst from No 8 Tim Scott, Sherston ushered on the oranges with the score at 10-all despite the scorer insisting on 10-5 scoreboard.
With the wind at its back, Mount Isa began the second 40-minutes looking to set up camp in the Cairns half.
The home side took a hit when second-rower Nathan Furze was replaced after a serious leg injury but rallied to seize the lead 10-minutes
after the restart.
A turnover at the breakdown from scavenging open side breakaway Dan Jago, set the Cairns backline in motion and after several phases of
play, winger Siti Bates raced free down the touchline to make it 15-10.
Looking to inject fresh legs, Mount Isa sent on the reinforcements with Dan Leyden and Stacie Campbell.
Campbell's enthusiasm reaped immediate dividends and his commitment at the ruck earned his team a penalty.
Replacement five-eighth Zyron George stepped up and reduced the margin to two-points with 15-minutes to play.
Bell put his side five-points clear after a relieving penalty but Mount Isa had a chance to hit back after a prodigious punt from Reagan Tamati put his side on attack metres from the Cairns try line.
The Thunder held out and another case of ill discipline allowed Cairns to extend its lead to 21-13 and see out the game.
Mount Isa coaches Rob Campbell and Andy Homuk praised the efforts of their charges and said the side took it to a strong Cairns outfit.
"I thought our forwards, especially our three loose forwards, were outstanding," Campbell said.
Homuk pointed to a brave and dogged performance from a young backline.
"Those young guys were brilliant today, if we can develop their talent we should give Townsville and Mackay a real run for their money later this yeaer."
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