April 14, 2012
Rugby League returned to the South Burnett with a bang on Saturday with strong performances from Kingaroy and Wondai in the A Grade sounding a warning signal to other teams for the rest of the competition.
At Kingaroy’s TJ O’Neill Oval, the Red Ants led Murgon 54-4 when the game was called off in the 23rd minute of the second half.
The first half saw tries to Kingaroy’s Marcus Grosskopf, Josh Barkle, Tom Chapman, Ricky Dynevor, Scott Schumack and Mick Jarvis.
Murgon managed to cross the line in the 19th minute when Lewis Hopkins scored but failed to convert his own try.
Two minutes before half-time, the Mustang’s Corey Williams was sin-binned. Tensions flared almost immediately and Murgon, frustrated with the scoreline and the sinbinning, briefly confronted the Red Ants. The result of this was the Murgon No 7 – the try scorer – being sent off.
Murgon did not trouble the scorer in the second half which was played under lights. Kingaroy recorded tries by Tom Chapman, Ashley Smallwood and Mick Jarvis. A soft four-pointer to Matthew Allan, which he then converted, proved too much for Murgon and the game was called off.
The U18s clash between Murgon and Kingaroy was a much more even contest, although in the end Murgon romped home 38-12 at the full-time siren.
The Mustangs’ Arthur Saltner picked up a hat-trick of tries and Keith Walsh – who backed up for the Mustangs in the A Grade – scored a double and kicked three goals.
At Wondai, the Wolves smashed Blackbutt 60-22 in their A Grade clash.
The U14s and U12s were matches between the Wolves and the Central Burnett Brumbies; no U16s as the Brumbies were playing this round in Chinchilla.
Unfortunately the Nanango Stags – coming up against the Nanango Show weekend – failed to field an A Grade team in their round against Cherbourg.
The Hornets put on strong performances in the U14s and U16s.
RESULTS:
Cherbourg Hornets v Nanango Stags (at Cherbourg)
U12s 6-18
U14s 28-0
U16s 52-10
Kingaroy Red Ants v Murgon Mustangs (at Kingaroy)
U12s 16-16
U14s 10-14
U16s 38-12
U18s 12-38
A Grade 54-4 (when game called)
Wondai Wolves v Blackbutt Timbertowners (at Wondai)
A Grade 60-22
Wondai Wolves v Central Burnett Brumbies (at Wondai)
U12s 54-6
U14s 30-16
