April 21, 2013

The South Burnett Thrashers are looking forward to a great first home game of the season next weekend after scoring an emphatic win against Highfields on Saturday – their first victory in the Darling Downs rugby union competition for 2013.

Club President Shane O’Malley said the team went really well during their 54-14 win.

“We played the sort of rugby that we planned to play,” he said.

“We were playing as a team. The back line was very sharp and worked in well with the forwards.

“We worked the ball out and scored a lot of points out wide.”

Winger Ashley Smallwood – who had a weekend off from his duties with the Blackbutt Timbertowners league team – was player of the match, scoring a number of tries and kicking goals.

Ian MacLachlan, who was shifted into the front-row from his usual spot in the second-row, also had a good game.

“He played really well in the new position,” Shane said.

Also strong was No 8, Brett Turner.

Shane said next week’s game, against Rangers B Grade, was going to be a different challenge.

The 2012 Premiers, Rangers have begun their 2013 campaign in top form, winning each of their first three games.

But the Thrashers are keen to take them on.

“Home and away can have a big impact on form. We have a good chance of taking the game to them,” Shane said.