June 1, 2014
Stags’ fans went home happy after a big day of football at Fred Kassulke Oval in Nanango on Saturday.
After securing wins in all junior grades – and a draw in the U18s – the Stags’ A Grade side overpowered the much-fancied Mundubbera Tigers in a bruising encounter during which two Tigers’ players were sinbinned.
Drew Jackson, who had a powerful game for the Stags, put the first points on the board.
Mundubbera replied almost immediately via Fineti Tiliai, and the score was 4-all.
The armwrestle then continued for the next 10 minutes until a Mundubbera player was sin-binned for a high tackle.
While he was off, the Stags put on three tries, to Ashley Smallwood, Blake Harvey and Clinton Harvey, taking the score to 18-4.
But with the Tigers back to full-strength, Nanango was still on fire. Joel Smallwood set up Josh Barkle to score; Ashley Smallwood’s kick was on target and the Stags went into the break leading 24-4.
If the scoreline was dispiriting for the Tigers, also was the fact they lost another player for 10 minutes for an indiscretion right on the half-time whistle.
Down a man, Mundubbera was first to score in the second half when Paulino Taufa crossed – but that was the Tigers’ last joy for the night.
Ashley Smallwood scored his second while Mundubbera still had the player in the bin.
But it made no difference after he came back on. Nanango scored three times in the last 15 minutes – two to Blake Harvey and another to Ashley Smallwood.
The final score was 48-8. Ashley Smallwood finished the night with three tries and four goals. Andrew Hewitt also kicked two conversions.
* * *
The first A Grade match played on Saturday afternoon at Nanango was between the Wondai Wolves and the Gayndah Gladiators.
Gayndah has been scratching to find players so their trip down the Burnett Highway was always going to be a tough road to travel.
The Wolves were ruthless in attack.
The first points were put on the board by Wondai coach Shane Cliff after six minutes.
At the midway point of the first half, the score was 22-0 with three more tries (Cody Beggs, Rory Mackenzie and Luke Tilney) added to the tally.
Gayndah’s defence then rallied bravely and kept the Wolves at the bay for the next 25 minutes … and then the dam broke.
With five minutes left in the first half, Tilney scored again, followed by Tim Knight and, in the last 44 seconds, Beggs again.
At half-time the score was 36-0.
The Gladiators’ pain continued in the second half, which basically turned into a training run for the Wolves.
Gayndah couldn’t get out of their own quarter and to compound the problem couldn’t hold onto the ball when they did get possession.
The Wolves methodically scored every few minutes, but to their credit, the Gladiators kept trying.
Tries in the second half went to Shane Cliff, Mitchell Clark, Luke Tilney (2), Rhys Weber, Brodie Litfin, Tim Knight, Rory Mackenzie and Wes Knight.
Special mention must be made of the Wes Knight try, which occurred a few minutes before full-time.
Young Tim Knight – grandson of Wolves’ president Wally Knight – made the break and ran to the goal posts. But instead of scoring his third for the match, Tim turned his back to the line and waited until his uncle Wes was nearby, passing him the ball to score.
Wondai defeated Gayndah 84-0. The Wolves racked up 16 tries; Weber kicked eight conversions and Mitchell Clark two.
* * *
The Nanango club started the day well with an easy win in the U12s and a last-minute victory in the U14s against traditional rivals, Kingaroy.
They also came out on top of the Red Ants in a fiery U16s game.
However the best of the junior matches by far – and possibly the best game seen on the day – saw Nanango face Cherbourg in the U18s.
With 20 minutes left in the game, Cherbourg were ahead 22-12 but the home side rallied – and with a run of possession – piled on three quick tries.
The game ended as a 30-all draw, a fitting result for a close game of exciting football.
* * *
Results
- U12 – Nanango 40, Kingaroy 6
- U14 – Nanango 28, Kingaroy 22
- U16 – Nanango 20, Kingaroy 4
- U18 – Cherbourg and Nanango drew 30-all
A Grade
- Nanango 48, Mundubbera 8
- Wondai 84, Gayndah 0
- Cherbourg 44, Theodore 32 (in Theodore)
- Murgon 60, Monto 40 (in Monto)
Cherbourg remains undefeated in the A Grade competition with 6 wins. Wondai has 5, Murgon 4, Kingaroy 3 and Nanango 2.
[UPDATED with correction]
