In a tough tussle in the men game the Pirates edged past the Marlins in the last quarter 92 - 82. The Pirates had contrubitions from across the roster. Jarred Bairstow had 20 points on 8 from 11 and 14 rebounds. Ryan Vines had 23 points with a big go ahead 3 in the fourth quarter. Big man Jason Conrad found his range and was outstanding from the 3 point line hitting 4 from 5 and his defence on Cairns Taipans NBL player Alex Loughton kept him to 38% from the field. Tanner McGrew had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Brendan Teys had his best moments when it counted in the last quarter with 12 points and some heady plays to keep his team in control of the game.
For Cairns Damon Hueir (27pts) was outstanding alongside NBL teamate, Loughton (25pts) but it was not enough as the Marlins struggle to match the strength of the Pirates front line.
In the women's game the Pirates could not match the size and athleticism of the Cairns line up with Kennedy, Evans, Pryor and Baltic all in double figures in scoring. Pirate Parsons battled hard for 22 points but had an off night from the 3 point line and Erica Carlson had her usual double with 12 points and 11 rebounds and her customary 3 blocks. A second quarter scoring drought of only 4 points left the Pirates in a tough situation going into the half. They came out of the change rooms and won the third quarter keeping the Dolphins to 14 points but struggled again in the fourth scoring 10 points and could not stop them from scoring. Final result 49 - 87
