August 6, 2012
The South Burnett Thrashers made the Toowoomba Rangers work hard for their points when the teams met in Kingaroy on Saturday afternoon.
Rangers are in the number two slot on the Downs Rugby B Grade ladder but the reinvigorated South Burnett side weren’t about to make their life easy.
After ten minutes of see-sawing possession, Allan Gillespie opened the scoring for the Rangers with a try in the corner.
The Thrashers replied just minutes later, with Joel Wolski forcing his way through strong Rangers’ defence to ground the ball.
The Rangers hit back immediately, gaining possession from a scrum which led to Will Matchet crossing the line.
South Burnett then attempted to respond again, but this time Rangers’ defence was too good and the ball was lost over the line.
The Thrashers posted the next points after they were awarded a penalty from a ruck infringement immediately in front of the posts.
Steve Harrington’s kick was successful, bringing the South Burnett back to within two points of Toowoomba.
The Rangers then scored again and at the half-time break, the score was Rangers 15, Thrashers 8.
The Toowoomba side dominated the second half, picking up another 22 points, but the South Burnett added more points through Andrew O’Toole (try) and Toby Broomhall (conversion).
The final score was Rangers 37, South Burnett Thrashers 15.
Thrashers’ president Shane O’Malley said the Thrashers enjoyed some good patches, and there were a couple of pluses to take out of the match.
“There was less dropped ball and our forwards also played very well again, against a stronger pack this week,” he said.
However, he said the Rangers were “very classy” out wide.
