July 12, 2012
The Wondai Sportsground hosted an exciting Saturday of football last weekend with three A Grade games attracting a good crowd.
Kingaroy dominated an under-strength Nanango Stags in the opening match of the triple header.
The first half was all Red Ants – with Darren Bowden and Luke Evans both crossing twice, and tries to Lachlan Browne, Nathan Champney and Richie Dynevor.
At half-time the score was Kingaroy 32, Nanango 0.
After the break, Kingaroy resumed the pressure early, with Jayden Jarvis scoring after just four minutes.
The score was 38-0 but the gap could have grown much larger very quickly with Kingaroy messing up what looked like two certain tries in two minutes; firstly losing the ball over the line, and then after good lead-up work passing the ball to a Nanango defender with the line wide open.
A penalty to Nanango ensued which finally allowed the Stags to get down the other end of the field. Hayden Hockey made the most of opportunity, breaking the drought for Nanango. He then converted his own try taking the score to 38-6.
But the Red Ants weren’t finished. They scored four tries in 12 minutes – to Nathan Champney, Chris Abbott, Leon Doyle and Richie Dynevor – and the score had blown out to 60-6.
With four minutes left on the clock, Pat McCallum scored a consolation try for the Stags. The conversion by Hockey was successful.
The final score was 60-12.
Darren Bowden, Luke Evans, Nathan Champney and Richie Dynevor all scored doubles for Kingaroy. Ashley Smallwood kicked four goals, and Richie Dynevor, two.
The second match, between Blackbutt and Murgon, was a very entertaining game with the sides evenly matched and taking turns in the lead.
Shannon Smallwood opened the scoring for Blackbutt in the first minute.
Jameel Sullivan struck back immediately for the Mustangs, and with Joe Sullivan’s kick on target, the score was 6-4. The two Sullivans then repeated their success, and Murgon was ahead 12-4.
Blake Harvey, who put on a strong performance against Kingaroy last week, then worked some magic for the Timbertowners. With the conversion by Smallwood successful, the score was now 12-10.
Blackbutt then re-took the lead with quick tries to Clinton Harvey and Shannon Smallwood, after good lead-up work by Blake Harvey. Blackbutt was ahead 18-12.
With eight minutes left in the first half, the Mustangs brought the score to 18-all when Peter Mickelo scored in the corner and Joe Sullivan converted.
Blackbutt rose to the challenge and scored twice before the half-time siren, with Michael Davies crossing and then Keiran Harvey scoring a runaway try. Andrew Hewitt converted both and the score at half-time was Blackbutt 30, Murgon 18.
Blackbutt continued its attack after the break, with Blake Harvey scoring the second of his three tries on the day.
The Mustangs and Timbertowners then swapped tries again before Murgon picked up three tries in quick succession: to Kobi Meehan, Joe Sullivan and Jameel Sullivan. With the three kicks by Joe Sullivan raising the flags, the score was back level 42-all.
Jamie Whyte broke the deadlock by crossing the line for Blackbutt, which was followed three minutes later by a spectacular run by Blake Harvey which led to his third try. With Hewitt’s kicks successful, Blackbutt was back in the lead 54-42.
With three minutes left, Murgon struck back through a try to Curtis Hill. Jameel Sullivan’s kick was good but despite outpointing Blackbutt in the second half, it wasn’t enough for the Mustangs and the score at full-time was Blackbutt 54, Murgon 48.
For Blackbutt, Blake Harvey scored a hat-trick and Shannon Smallwood, a double; with single tries to Clinton Harvey, Andrew Hewitt, Keiran Harvey, Michael Davies and Jamie Whyte. Andrew Hewitt kicked six goals and Shannon Smallwood, one.
For Murgon, Jameel Sullivan picked up a hat-trick, with single tries to Keith Walsh, Joe Sullivan, Curtis Hill, Kobi Meehan and Peter Mikelo. Joe Sullivan kicked seven goals and Jameel Sullivan, one.
The final match of the triple-header saw home team Wondai face the undefeated Cherbourg Hornets.
Wondai unexpectedly opened the scoring with a try to Tony Freeman … but that was the last time they troubled the scorer in the first half.
Danny Cobbo and Charlie Bond both scored twice for Cherbourg, with Nigel Williams and Peter Carlo also successful. Fred Aubrey kicked five from six (breaking his winning streak of 14/14 last week).
At half-time, the score was Cherbourg 34, Wondai 4.
The Hornets continued in similar fashion after the break, with Gordon Fisher scoring twice and Trevor Davidson once, before Wondai’s Luke Hedges finally broke the second-half drought for the Wolves with 20 minutes left. Wondai’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful so Cherbourg led 52-8.
Nigel Williams then picked up his second for the Hornets, which Aubrey naturally converted before Wondai were again successful.
Brenton List crossed the line with less than a minute on the clock after the Wolves received back-to-back penalties which allowed them to gain ground. Danny Alberts’ kick was successful which took the final score to 58-14.
Arthur Saltner scored a double for the Mustangs and Lynden Hopkins scored one try and kicked seven goals. Other try scorers were Liam Etheringtron, Jamie O’Chin, Danny Edwards and Lehman Brunjes.
The loss by Easts has allowed Kingaroy, which had the bye, to slip ahead ahead of them on for/against and now lead the Under 18 competition ladder.
Ladder after Round 12: Kingaroy, Eastern Suburbs, Across The Waves – 14 points; Hervey Bay – 12 points; Murgon – 9 points; Wallaroos – 7 points; and Western Suburbs – 2 points.
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Rugby league will be back at Wondai again next weekend.
Wondai will play Cherbourg and Murgon will face Blackbutt in a double-header which will also see the return of the junior rugby league after the holiday break.
At Nanango, the Stags will play Kingaroy.
In the U18s, Murgon will face Hervey Bay, and Kingaroy will play Across The Waves, on Saturday at Stafford Park in Hervey Bay.
