May 7, 2014
A good crowd braved a chilly Nanango night on Saturday to watch some of the best rugby league seen in the South Burnett so far this year.
In the first match, Cherbourg – undefeated in 2014 – would have been at short odds to down the Kingaroy Red Ants who have had a shaky start to the season.
And, true to form, the whistle had barely blown before the Hornets were in for their first try with Nathan Gadd going over in the corner.
At the mid-way point of the first half, it looked like the predictions would be confirmed, with Cherbourg leading 20-nil after tries to Gordon Davidson, Nathan Gadd (again) and a runaway to Stafford Saltner.
But then Kane Stannard put on two quick tries for the Red Ants, and with Toby Broomhall’s boot on target, Kingaroy were within eight points.
With 10 minutes left in the half, Cherbourg (Alex Speedy) went further ahead but Kingaroy struck back with Toby Broomhall crossing with just 40 seconds left on the clock.
The half-time score was Cherbourg 26, Kingaroy 16 but with the Red Ants starting to fire, the second half promised to be interesting … and it was.
Kingaroy dominated the early possession, getting back-to-back sixes after the kick-off which led to John Judge scoring in the corner. Broomhall’s conversion kick was good and suddenly the Red Ants were within four points.
But Cherbourg were having none of this. Three minutes later Nathan Gadd grabbed the ball and sprinted downfield to stretch the Hornets’ margin.
The game then went into a long stoppage as Red Ant – and Australian Country representative cricketer – Anthony Eden was treated for a shoulder injury by paramedics and taken to hospital by ambulance.
When the game resumed it was much darker – and colder – but Kingaroy had lost none of their fire.
Cherbourg managed to keep them out for one attacking run but then two minutes later Jayden Jarvis scored; Broomhall again converted, and Kingaroy was back to within four points again.
And then with 16 minutes left in the match, Nick Otto evened the score, burrowing under Cherbourg defenders on the line.
Broomhall’s kick was good and Kingaroy were suddenly in front, leading 34-32.
Three minutes later, Kingaroy went further ahead after putting up a kick. A Cherbourg player knocked on allowing Jayden Jarvis to pick up the ball and score in the corner. Sadly for Red Ants’ fans, this time the conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the margin at six points.
Cherbourg quickly evened the score again, with Stafford Saltner scoring his second try for the night and Alex Speedy converting.
The scores were still locked with five minutes to go until Patrick Alberts broke the deadlock. Speedy’s conversion put the Hornets ahead 44-38 … the final score after a very entertaining game of football.
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The highlight of the night for the home crowd was the second game between the Nanango Stags and Wondai Wolves.
The Stags were coming off a win while Wondai, who have been starved of match practice this year, hadn’t had a victory since Round 1.
The match began very evenly with both sides swapping tries: Ashley Smallwood (Nanango), Rory Mackenzie (Wondai), Cody Beggs (Wondai), James Webb (Nanango), Blake Harvey (Nanango) and Luke Tilney (Wondai).
With four minutes left in the first half, the scores were locked at 16-all until Kobi Meehan broke through to score for the Wolves.
The half-time siren went with the Stags on the attack, close to the Wolves’ line and looking to even up.
At the break, Wondai led 22-16.
The armwrestle continued in the second half with neither side making any headway for the first 10 minutes although Nanango looked threatening.
However, the Stags seemed to lose concentration after a stoppage due to injury.
Cody Beggs and Jack McDowell scored two quick tries for Wondai – which Danny Alberts converted – and suddenly the Wolves’ lead had blown out to 34-16.
Nanango struck back five minutes later when Ashley Smallwood scored his second for the night, which he converted himself.
Wondai’s Mitchell Clark quickly responded, diving on a grubber kick under the posts.
Wondai (Rory Mackenzie) and Nanango (Blake Harvey) then again swapped tries, giving the Nanango crowd something to yell about.
The Stags then scored again when Robert Ryan crossed the line with just 30 seconds left. Joel Smallwood’s conversion was on target taking the final score to Wondai 46, Nanango 34.
Other Results:
- U12 – Kingaroy 0, Central Burnett 32
- U12 – Murgon 8, Cherbourg 12
- U12 – Nanango 24, Wondai 0
- U14 – Kingaroy 32, Central Burnett 6
- U14 – Murgon 20, Cherbourg 0
- U16 – Kingaroy 26, Central Burnett 0
- U16 – Murgon 32, Cherbourg 24
- U18 – Murgon 36, Cherbourg 36
