SPORT DIGEST: New golf season, Crocs on top, Raiders down in thriller
Around grounds
The new Daddyshack Indoor Golf league is set to launch next week on a stunning course in the picturesque Queenstown region on New Zealand’s South Island.
The Hills Golf Club, which features many of the island’s trademark picture-postcard scenes, including snow-capped mountains and turquoise-blue lakes, will be the setting for the first round, which kicks off this Monday, May 4.
The format is nine holes of Ambrose Stableford with handicaps each week for eight weeks, followed by a final series.
Your round takes less than an hour to play, and you can play anytime during the week from Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm.
If you want to join the league, contact [email protected], 0478 208 529 or drop by the Port Douglas shop.
AFL Cairns
The Port Douglas Crocs triumphed against another one of last year’s grand finalists on Saturday, beating Trinity Beach at Trinity Beach.
The Crocs led by 58 points at three-quarter time, but the Bulldogs finished strongly to put a bit of respectability on the scoreboard, with the final score 14.19 (103) to 11.6 (72).
Murphy Short continued his stellar start to the year with another best-on-ground performance, while Liam Bartels, Thomas Cantwell, Tom Kluske, Jacob Zboril and Jared Petrenko were also good.
Bill Lovel kicked four goals, while Bartels finished with three.
The highly anticipated “Dusty Round” is on at Port Douglas this Saturday against the only other undefeated side, South Cairns Cutters.
A guest appearance by former Richmond champion Dustin Martin is set to help attract a massive crowd to the top-of-the-table clash, with a host of other events planned including food trucks lining the outer wing of the sports complex.
The Crocs women went down to Trinity by 78 points, 14.7 (91) to 2.1 (13).
Best players were Hannah Hyland, Maeve Ryan, Georgia Walker, Sophia Shaw, Ella Jones and Jess Woods.
Rugby union
The Reef Raiders competed in a thriller in their first match of the year, eventually going down to the Northern Beaches Mudcrabs 29-32.
The Mudcrabs scored a try with two minutes to go to snatch the lead from a gallant Port Douglas outfit.
Try scorers included Rian O’Flynn, Joe O’Leary and captain Luke Edwards, while Edwards converted three tries and kicked a penalty.
This week the Raiders are again at home against Southside Crusaders on Saturday from 4pm.
Rugby league
Mossman Sharks had a 40-20 loss to Ivanhoe Knights at Smithfield on the weekend.
Kenneth Banu ran home three tries, while Jarvis Connolly scored one, and Kieshon Hunter-Flanders kicked two of four conversions.
The team returns home against Mareeba Gladiators this Sunday from 3pm.
The Sharks women lost to the Ivanhoe Maidens 8-62, with Ruby Nandy and Aydah Ross Kelly scoring tries.
The women’s team has a bye this weekend.
Soccer
The Douglas Dragons games were called off last weekend due to the weather, but they are back home on Friday night, with the Division One game against Atherton scheduled to kick off at 8.30pm at Cassowary Park.
The reserves side will play before the main game against Leichhardt from 6.30pm.
