July 15, 2012
The South Burnett Thrashers overpowered their much more fancied opposition to record their first win of the season in Kingaroy on Saturday and keep union fans happy on a weekend when little football was played in the region because of the weather.
The Thrashers, who have proven they play much better at home than on the road, had been building momentum over their last two games and thoroughly deserved their victory of 27-24 over the USQ Saints.
The Saints opened the scoring with quick tries to Phil Masters and Dominic Clark, both converted by Karl Birch.
South Burnett fans who had turned out at St Mary’s Oval in Kingaroy must have been wondering what the afternoon was going to bring. But their faith was quickly rewarded.
After receiving two penalties in their favour and a line-out win, the Thrashers made the most of the pressure, sending Toby Broomhall sprinting to the line. Broomhall then converted his own try (the last successful kick the South Burnett managed to get over on the day).
Leading up to half-time, Lewis Canning scored for USQ (and Birch converted) but the Thrashers hit right back with a try to Matt Allen.
At half-time, USQ Saints led 21-12 but the Thrashers had shown enough to encourage their supporters that the game was still within their grasp.
After the break, the South Burnett showed renewed enthusiasm. Following good lead-up work, Kirk Parker used his strength to fight off two tacklers and ground the ball over the line.
Just five minutes later, with the South Burnett defending their line from a determined USQ attack, Mitchell Clark took an intercept pass and sprinted almost the length of the field to score and put the Thrashers into the lead for the first time.
The only points USQ Saints scored in the second half were from a penalty the South Burnett conceded right in front of the posts. Birch’s kick was good, putting USQ back into the lead 24-22.
But the South Burnett weren’t done and Ashley Smallwood sealed the win with a try in the corner.
The Thrashers can take pride in the fact they kept the Saints away from their line in the second half.
They also scored five tries to their opposition’s three. However the victory could have been even greater if more conversions had been successful.
Next week the South Burnett have the bye. Their next match in the Downs B Grade Rugby competition will be against the Toowoomba Bears on July 28.
