Sharks win rugby league minor premiership for the first time

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Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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The Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks Rugby League team. Image: Supplied.

The Mossman Port Douglas senior rugby league football club achieved a significant milestone at the weekend when they became Minor Premiers for the first time in the club’s history.

In their relatively easy 40 (34) 22 (6) win over Ivanhoes last Friday night, they not only secured top spot on the ladder, they now head to the qualifying final where they will meet the winner of the Innisfail-Yarrabah qualifier match.

In their weekend clash, Innisfail defeated Yarrabah 40-16 and the former will certainly go into the match with a psychological advantage.  

The Sharks landed the knock-out blow in the first half when they scored six tries and with 34 first half points on the board, they had well and truly booked their qualifying final place.

“The second half was a bit slow. The boys appeared to fall asleep, but this is something we can easily overcome and ensure this does not happen in the next two games,” said coach Brian Murgha, clearly indicating his confidence of making the final.

The Sharks have a bye this weekend.

“This is now an exciting time for the club. We are one win away from the Grand Final and this will then put us in a position to retain the premiership after last year’s success,” said Murgha.

The final log table sees the Sharks with 28 points, followed by Innisfail (27) and Yarrabah (26).
For a club rich in history, the Sharks have never forgotten its roots.

Rugby League has been played competitively in Mossman for over 70 years when there were four clubs competing against each other: the Zingeries, the Wanderers, the Blues and Port Douglas. Eventually the four teams merged into one and the Mossman Port Douglas Senior Sharks was established.

The Sharks originally played in the Eacham League but left in 1955 and joined the Cairns & District League Competition. The CDRL Competition consists of 11 teams from Tully to the South, Mareeba to the West, Mossman Port Douglas to the North. 


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