May 30, 2013
In front of a home crowd, Blackbutt tested an under-strength Cherbourg A Grade rugby league side on Saturday, almost achieving the unthinkable and toppling the competition leaders.
The final score was Cherbourg 48, Blackbutt 30 … but that doesn’t reflect the closeness of the game at times during the 80 minutes.
The Hornets arrived at the Blackbutt Showground with just 14 players, and some of their big men notably missing. In contrast, the Timbertowners were eager to do well at home.
Blackbutt opened the scoring with a try to Dylan Gilliland just minutes after kick-off.
Cherbourg responded, with Ivan Harrison crossing and Fred Aubrey converting (the first of his six goals for the day).
The Timbertowners’ defence then held Cherbourg out for more than 10 minutes before Lyndon Hopkins broke through.
It looked like Blackbutt was going to reply with a breakaway run by Blake Harvey, but sadly for the home crowd the ball was called back after Harvey lost the ball in a tackle as he was about to ground it between the posts.
Cyril Georgetown was next to score for Cherbourg.
Ashley Smallwood hit back for Blackbutt before Fred Aubrey stamped his authority on the game for Cherbourg in the lead up to half-time.
Firstly, Aubrey put up a bomb on the fifth tackle which Nathan Gadd gathered to score; five minutes later Aubrey ran through a gap to score himself.
At half-time the score was Cherbourg 28, Blackbutt 10.
Blackbutt had new life after the break, with Gilliland again the first to score.
Alexander Speedy replied for Cherbourg before Blackbutt scored back-to-back tries bringing the Timbertowners within 10 points, 34-24.
But in the last 10 minutes, Aubrey again dominated, scoring three tries, and ironically, dropping a Blackbutt kick which allowed Blackbutt in to score.
Try scorers for Blackbutt were Dylan Gilliland (2), Matt Davis, Will Murray, Blake Harvey and Ashley Smallwood. Andrew Hewitt finished with three goals.
Points scorers for Cherbourg were Fred Aubrey (4) and six goals, Nathan Gadd, Lyndon Hopkins, Alexander Speedy, Ivan Harrison and Cyril Georgetown.
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In the first A Grade game played on Saturday at Blackbutt, the Wondai Wolves were too strong for Nanango, scoring 11 tries to romp home 62-26.
The half-time score was 34-16.
Try scorers for Wondai were Cody Beggs (2), Tyrone Mickelo (2), Luke Hedges (2), Danny Alberts, Bradley Barsby, Lewis Hopkins, Mick Murray and Troy Kerkow. Goals: Lewis Hopkins (3), Luke Hedges (2), Harrison Miller (2), Danny Alberts and Troy Kerkow.
Nanango tries: Rob Ryan, Pat McCallum, Brad Staples, James Webb and Dannon Weir. Goals: Brian De La Cruz (2) and Pat McCallum.
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On Saturday (June 1), two A Grade games will be played at Nanango: Nanango v Cherbourg, and Wondai v Blackbutt.
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Other Results
U12s
Nanango 52, Blackbutt 4
U16s
Kingaroy forfeited to Nanango (game was to be played at Murgon)
U18s
Murgon defeated Wests Panthers 50-16 at Murgon. The Mustangs have the bye this weekend in the Bundaberg U18s competition. After six rounds, they are in third spot on the competition ladder:
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In junior rugby league, President’s Cup games will be played this Saturday in Mundubbera:
- U12 Kingaroy v Cherbourg
- U14 Murgon v Central Burnett
- U16 Central Burnett v Cherbourg
