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Friday July 16, 2021
| 27
Cairns Local News
Netball Test Match for Cairns PETER MCCULLAGH
INTERNATIONAL netball comes to Cairns when the Australian Diamonds battle the current World Champions the Silver Ferns from New Zealand. The Cairns test match is part of the 4 match Constellation Cup, being staged in October in Brisbane, Cairns and Wellington. The Diamonds will host the Silver Ferns in Brisbane for Game 1 before flying to Cairns for Game 2 at the Cairns Convention Centre on Sunday October 17. This will be the first time the Diamonds have played a test match in Cairns. The series final will be in Wellington on Sunday October 24. In the netball world the Constellation Cup is one of the most coveted trophies for Australia. This series will be the 12th Constellation Cup.
When these two teams last met the Silver Ferns reclaimed the Cup for the first time in eight years, winning the series 3-1. All four matches were closed to the public due to COVID restrictions, but crowds are eager to return and see the world’s best netballers in action. Heather McLean, president of Marlin Coast Netball, cannot wait to see these international athletes in action. “It’s wonderful to see a test match here in Cairns. For our local girls to see just how fast the game is as well as how physical it is at that level will be a great thing. “This will give our local teams a tremendous boost, and we see it here in Cairns, its tremendous,” she said. Australian Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovick was delighted to announce the series would be played in Australia before moving to New Zealand through the Trans-Tasman travel bubble.
“It’s fantastic to have international netball return to Australia,” Marinkovich said. Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said he was delighted to have international netball return to Cairns after successfully hosting Suncorp Super Netball League matches in 2020. “It will be the first international sporting event to be held at the newly refurbished Cairns Convention Centre,” Olsen said. “The Constellation Cup adds to the growing number of national sporting events and training camps, including the current Australian Dolphins Swim Team camp, being held in Cairns. Tickets for the 2021 Constellation Cup will go on sale at 10am Tuesday July 27 via www.ticketlink.com.au
MUDCRABS RUCK
N O R T H E R N
B E A C H E S
M U D
& MAUL C R A B S
R U G B Y
U N I O N
MATCH REPORT Mudcrabs THE weekend saw the Mudcrab men continue their dominance of the FNQ Rugby Reserve Grade competition with a hard-fought 21-17 win over the JCU Mariners to extend their win streak to 7. This was the closest the Crabs have come to losing in two months of football. It was the efforts of Dharzell Roberts who led to the Crabs to the win with a two-try performance. He now holds top spot of the top try-scorers list with 6 this season. Other stand outs were David Phillips (Froggy) and Jarrod White (Diesel). In the Womens game, the Mudcrabs avenged their last start loss to Wanderers with a comprehensive 25-19 win over the same opponent. The women got into an arm wrestle with the Wanders in the first half, only taking a 7-5 lead at the break. After an inspirational halftime huddle the women came out strong with back to back tries to flyer Taesha Ahwang. It was a great hit-back for the team as they have been facing injury issues over the last few weeks. This weeks game (Friday July 16) is the Mudcrabs Charity Day at the Crab Pot. We will be raising money for “Local Health Heroes.” With COVID our health heroes are stretched to the limit eg nurses, doctors, paramedic, vaccinators, mental health professionals. Men play against Wanderers 5pm and the Women right after.
C L U B
CUP LADDER PLAYED
WINS
DRAW
LOSSES
PTS
DEVILS
TEAM
12
11
0
1
22
WM SEAGULLS
12
10
0
2
20
SEAGULLS
12
8
1
3
17
BEARS
12
8
0
4
16
DOLPHINS
12
8
0
4
16
BLACKHAWKS
12
7
0
5
14
MAGPIES
12
7
0
5
14
PRIDE
12
6
2
4
14
FALCONS
12
6
0
6
12
TIGERS
12
3
0
9
6
HUNTERS
12
3
0
9
6
JETS
12
2
1
9
5
CUTTERS
12
2
0
10
4
CAPRAS
12
0
2
10
2
INTRUST SUPER CUP ROUND 14 S A T U R D A Y
J U L Y
1 7
Falcons V Seagulls. Bears V WM Seagulls. Dolphins V Jets. Magpies V Blackhawks. Cutters V Devils. Pride V Hunters. S U N D A Y J U L Y 18 Tigers V Capras.
GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY Bet with your head, not over it.
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J J J J
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