July 12, 2013
The two “centenary” clubs, Blackbutt and Nanango, played out an entertaining and see-sawing A Grade match at Cherbourg last Saturday.
Nanango came out victors with a try by Wade Gregg almost on the full-time siren securing the win.
This was only Nanango’s second success for the season – they beat Blackbutt previously in Round 4 – but they played as if they were leading the competition, obviously buoyed by their draw with Cherbourg last weekend.
At half-time, Nanango led 24-16 with tries to Pat McCallum (2), Shane Williams, Jayden Jarvis and Brian de la Cruz.
All the Timbertowners’ first half points came courtesy of Ashley Smallwood, with three tries and two successful conversions.
Blackbutt began the second half strongly, scoring three tries in seven minutes (another two to Smallwood, and Matt Heit also crossing the line).
With Blackbutt leading 30-24, Nanango struck back via McCallum and Jayden Jarvis, whose strong attacking runs in recent weeks have been paying dividends for the Stags.
But they were back in the lead only briefly before Smallwood scored his sixth try for the day. Dylan Gilliland converted and Blackbutt were now ahead again 36-34.
There were only minutes left on the clock when Jarvis made another strong attack on the Blackbutt line, flicking the pass at the last moment to set up Wade Gregg to score in the corner.
McCallum’s conversion, taken after the siren, was successful which took the full-time score to Nanango 40, Blackbutt 36.
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Unfortunately, the much-anticipated main A Grade game between competition leaders, the Wondai Wolves and Cherbourg Hornets, was a fizzer.
A shortage of players forced Wondai to forfeit the match just minutes before kick-off, much to the disappointment of the Cherbourg home crowd.
Hornets’ fans aren’t having much luck at home this season; Cherbourg’s last home game, in Round 8, was also forfeited, on that occasion by Blackbutt.
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The Murgon Mustangs are currently fourth on the ladder in the Bundaberg U18s competition.
They won their last match on Saturday at Bundaberg by default after Brothers forfeited the game.
Next Saturday (July 13), they will face the Wallaroos at 1:30pm in Maryborough.
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Wondai-Proston JRL will be hosting their popular Mini-Mod carnival for juniors at Wondai Sportsground on Saturday, July 20.