Greg Pomfret
February 27, 2014
The countdown to the 2014 South Burnett rugby league competition has begun, with an amended senior draw about to be released and the Kingaroy Red Ants and Nanango Stags hosting major trial matches this weekend.
South Burnett president Greg Pomfret said today the Burrum Miners, who are based in Torbanlea, have joined the senior competition which means there are now six teams taking part: Nanango, Kingaroy, Wondai, Murgon, Cherbourg and Burrum.
Unfortunately, the Blackbutt-Yarraman Timbertowners have notified they cannot field any teams this year – junior or senior.
The addition of Burrum to the senior competition means the draw released on January 16 will have to be updated however the overall structure will remain the same.
All senior games will be either double or triple headers.
The South Burnett teams will also participate in the Central and North Burnett competition.
They will play Mundubbera, Gayndah, Eidsvold and Monto in five rounds, culminating in the Burnett Shield Final (South Burnett 1 v Central Burnett 1) and Plate Final (South Burnett 2 v Central Burnett 2).
Greg said points from all games – including those played against the northern sides – would count towards the South Burnett competition which would encourage local teams to send their best players on the road.
The new draw is expected to be released next week.
Greg said the senior competition was looking strong with good numbers signing up, especially in Kingaroy which last year was forced to pull out at the last minute.
It was also very good to see the Murgon Mustangs back in the competition.
“It is unfortunate that Blackbutt have pulled out. They were just starting to tick along but these things happen from time to time as people move out of the area,” he said.
South Burnett senior players will also have the opportunity of taking part in the 47th Battalion competition this year for the first time for several years.
Selectors will pick players from this competition for an Inland Country Wide Bay squad.
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In the juniors, Greg said there have been good numbers signing up, especially in the U6s, U8s and U10s.
The junior South Burnett competition will also feature six teams: Nanango, Kingaroy, Wondai, Murgon, Cherbourg and Central Burnett.
U13s, U14s and U15s will also play in the 47th Battalion competition.
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Greg said the Kingaroy Red Ants were still very hopeful of hosting a round of the State competition, the Queensland Cup.
If successful in their bid, the game – which will feature two Top 5 teams from last season – will be played in Kingaroy on August 9.
It will cost about $30,000 to have the teams come to the area.
“It’s looking good but we would like to get some major corporate sponsors to come on board,” Greg said.
“I hope to meet with (Member for Nanango) Deb Frecklington, (South Burnett mayor) Wayne Kratzmann and representatives from the Kingaroy club soon.”
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The Kingaroy Red Ants will host a trial match against Oakey at T.J. O’Neill Oval from 7:00pm on Friday night.
Greg said the last time the two sides met, Kingaroy was only just defeated by Oakey, who play in the Toowoomba competition, so it should be a good game.
On Saturday night at 6:00pm, the Oakey Bears will take on Nanango at Fred Kassulke Oval followed at 7:00pm by a parallel match for each club’s U18 sides.
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