By Kerry Larsen

Not even the return of ex-NRL player, Brenton Bowen, was enough to spur the Mossman Port Douglas Sharks to victory against the Edmonton Storm in Cairns District Rugby League at Mossman Showgrounds on Saturday night.

The former Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys player returned from an eye injury which had kept him out of the Sharks side for two weeks previous to the Storm clash, and followed a knee injury earlier in the season.

Added to loss of Davin Crampton to the Northern Pride, where he has been in scintillating form, the Mossman club continues to struggle with player loss and lack of numbers, with some reserve grade players backing up to play off the bench for the seniors.

Bowen and Bronson Ryan were the only two tri-scorers in the Sharks' massive 54-12 loss to the Storm on Saturday night, extending their home and away record to one win and nine losses this season.

Although they dwell at the bottom of the CDRL table, they are only one point behind Mareeba, who sit on six points.

There was no better news in the other grades, with reserves, under-18s and the women's  all suffering defeats at the hands of the Edmonton club.

The reserves equally lacked defence in their 58-22 loss; the under-18s had a closer game but lost 28 to 20, and the Sharkettes, who played as a curtain-raiser to the main game, lost 48 to 6.