September 2, 2012
For only the second time this season, Cherbourg’s seemingly unstoppable A Grade rugby league team was beaten at the weekend, and their nemesis again was the Kingaroy Red Ants.
The loss by the Hornets in the Major Semi-Final played at Cherbourg on Saturday evening means the unthinkable could occur … a highly unlikely defeat at the hands of Blackbutt next weekend could see last year’s runners-up missing out on a Grand Final berth.
The victory by the Red Ants booked them a place in the Grand Final, an achievement also chalked up by their U12s, U16s and U18s teams.
Their U14s team is also still in the running, facing a re-match this week against the Central Burnett Brumbies.
The A Grade match was an armwrestle from the beginning. Kingaroy scored first (Patrick Ward), followed by Cherbourg (Nathan Gadd) just three minutes later; both conversion attempts were unsuccessful so the score was locked 4-all.
Ten minutes later, Nigel Williams broke the deadlock for the Hornets and Fred Aubrey’s kick was on target, taking it to 10-4.
A rare Cherbourg mistake – when the full-back was tricked by an awkward bounce – allowed Kingaroy’s Matthew Allan in; he converted his own try and the scores were again locked.
At the midpoint of the first half, a Hornets’ player was marched for 10 minutes which allowed Kingaroy to ramp up the attack. Strong Hornets’ defence stopped them just inches from the line.
Nigel Williams then struck again, and Aubrey’s kick was good, putting Cherbourg back ahead. But less than five minutes later, Brendan Flood crossed for Kingaroy, Matty Allen’s kick was successful and the scoreboard was again tied, 16-all.
The tit-for-tat continued in the the last 10 minutes of the half: Mark Saltner scored for Cherbourg and Lachlan Brown reciprocated for Kingaroy. At half-time the score was 22-all (although Cherbourg’s Cecil Sullivan went close to scoring after the siren sounded).
Kingaroy dominated the opening 20 minutes of the second stanza, with tries to Blake Cockburn, Nathan Champney and Michael Jarvis.
Things deteriorated with the score at Kingaroy 38, Cherbourg 22. Two Hornets’ players were sinbinned for separate indiscretions; a Kingaroy player then joined them.
With four minutes left on the clock, Cecil Sullivan scored under the posts for the Hornets. Carl Aubrey’s kick was good. Tyrone Murray then repeated the effort, but it was all too late for the Hornets.
The final score was Kingaroy 38, Cherbourg 34.
* * *
The Blackbutt Timbertowners held off a rampaging Wondai side to eliminate last year’s Premiers from the 2012 competition in a tough and sometimes fiery match on Saturday afternoon at Cherbourg.
Blackbutt opened its account after two minutes with a try by Shannon Smallwood (the first of his two for the day).
The Timbertowners then withstood Wondai attacks for 10 minutes, before Troy Sanders managed to cross the line. Blake Harvey (Blackbutt) and Brenton List (Wondai) then swapped tries, with Luke Hedges converting for the Wolves.
The last 15 minutes of the first half were crucial to Blackbutt’s win. They put on three tries (Keiran Harvey, Shannon Smallwood and Harley Farrer) to Wondai’s one (Troy Kerkow). At half-time, Blackbutt led 24-14.
Wondai came out in the second half with renewed vigour, and Brenton List quickly crossed for his second.
At the 14th minute in the half, a bizarre mistake at the scrum – Wondai won the scrum which was packed after a Blackbutt knock-on, but lost possession as the ball came out – led to Harley Farrer scoring for the Timbertowners.
Five minutes later, Wondai bombed what looked to be a certain try by dropping the ball. These two mistakes would prove crucial.
With 16 minutes left in the half, Brad Perese scored for Wondai, bringing the Wolves to within four points: 28-24.
During the last 10 minutes, tempers frayed but both sides managed to score again: Harley Farrer picked up his third try for the Timbertowners, and Troy Kerkow his second for the Wolves.
The final score was 34-28 in favour of Blackbutt. Wondai actually outpointed the Timbertowners in the second half but it was all too late for the Wolves who will now hang up their boots for the season.
* * *
The Kingaroy Red Ants are through to the Grand Final in the Bundaberg U18s competition after defeating Bundaberg Eastern Suburbs 40-28 at Salter Oval in Bundaberg on Saturday afternoon.
Kingaroy will now face Across The Waves in the Grand Final next Sunday in Bundaberg.
[UPDATED with correction September 9]
Marcus Jensen scored two tries for Kingaroy, and Samuel Cooper, Jye Hopkins, Peter Hourn, Mitch Crossley, Brady Roberts and Elliot Carey all scored one apiece. Mitch Crossley kicked three goals, Peter Hourn two, and Marcus Jensen, one.
* * *
Former Cherbourg Hornets and Murgon Mustangs player Warren Collins – now President of the Cherbourg Junior Rugby League – was presented with Life Membership of the South Burnett Junior Rugby League during a small ceremony at Cherbourg on Saturday afternoon.
SBJRL Secretary Lisa Weir pinned on a Life Membership badge and presented him with a special windjacket.
South Burnett JRL President Terry Conway told southburnett.com.au that Warren was a most deserving recipient of the award – one of only five that he has handed out during his time in rugby league.
* * *
The start of the A Grade Finals was delayed to allow a minute’s silence for two recent losses.
Former Wondai Wolves player Dylan Dalton was killed in a car accident last week in the local area.
Former South Burnett Rugby League president and long-serving chairman of the Wide Bay Rugby League, Jeff Eyles, died recently in the United States. Former SBRL President Bob Coleman said Jeff and his wife Colleen were both dedicated to rugby league.
* * *
Results
A Grade (at Cherbourg)
- Cherbourg v Kingaroy 34-38
- Wondai v Blackbutt 28-34
Kingaroy is now through to the Grand Final. Cherbourg will play Blackbutt in the Preliminary Final next weekend.
U12s (at Cherbourg)
- Kingaroy v Murgon 18-4
- Cherbourg v Nanango 18-12
Kingaroy is now through to the Grand Final. Cherbourg will play Murgon in the Preliminary Final next weekend.
U14s (at Cherbourg)
- Nanango v Cherbourg 26-24. A kick by Jeremy Ehrlich put Nanango into the Grand Final after a tough stop-start game marred by multiple penalties and several fights. At half-time Cherbourg led 18-0. At least three Cherbourg players were sin-binned at times and Kingaroy was awarded two penalty tries.
- Central Burnett v Kingaroy 28-all draw. After playing three lots of extra time, the teams could not be separated so a re-match will have to be played during the week (probably on Wednesday).
Nanango is now through to the Grand Final.
Cherbourg will play the winner of the Central Burnett / Kingaroy re-match in the Preliminary Final.
- UPDATE September 6: Central Burnett defeated Kingaroy 20-16 in the re-match played on Wednesday night.
U16s (at Cherbourg)
- Cherbourg v Kingaroy 0-44
- Central Burnett v Nanango 50-12
Kingaroy is now through to the Grand Final. Central Burnett will play Cherbourg in the Preliminary Final at Mundubbera next weekend.
