The Murgon Mustangs held on against a late comeback to defeat Wondai 46-40 in their A Grade rugby league clash at Murgon Sportsground last Saturday.
The match was a highlight of a big day of football for the Mustangs at their home ground, and the first for coach Mark McDonald sporting his new bald look (see separate report).
Murgon were first to score when Tyrone Murray sprinted away soon after kick-off.
Jameel Sullivan – who has taken over the kicking duties for Murgon in the absence of the suspended Lewis Hopkins – made no mistake with the conversion.
Wondai’s Danny Alberts replied a few minutes later and Rhys Weber converted to even the score.
The Mustangs then put on back-to-back tries (Trevor Davidson and Justin Cobus).
At the midway point of the half, the Wolves mounted a strong attack on the Murgon line which broke down with a knock-on.
Wondai’s defence then held good for 10 minutes until the Mustangs’ Chris Bond broke through, taking the score to 22-6.
The Wolves then recommenced their attack but again mistakes stopped them from scoring before Cody Beggs was finally successful.
Lehman Brunjes, backing up from the earlier U18s match, then scored for Murgon to take the score at the break to Murgon 28, Wondai 12.
The second half opened with both sides swapping tries: Murgon (Keith Walsh), Wondai (Lincoln Wilmot), Murgon (Tyrone Murray) and Wondai (Rhys Weber).
With Murgon leading 40-22 with 15 minutes left on the clock, it looked like the Mustangs would have an easy victory but the Wolves had different plans.
Cody Beggs scored a soft try under the posts and Weber’s conversion took the scoreline to 40-28.
Two minutes later, Kane Liddy sidestepped around a tackler and took off with speed to score under the posts. This try, converted by Sullivan and against the run of play, would prove vital for Murgon.
With four minutes to the full-time siren, Jack McDowall scored for the Wolves, and Weber’s kick brought the margin closer, 46-34.
Murgon’s re-start was out on the full. Wondai took advantage of the possession and field position they gained from this mistake, to send Cody Beggs over for his third for the day. Weber’s kick was again on target to bring the final score to within six points.
Jameel Sullivan finished the day with seven kicks from eight for Murgon; Wondai’s Rhys Weber was also on target, kicking six from seven.
- Related article: Mark’s Close Shave Pays Off
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Earlier in the afternoon, spectators enjoyed a close game between the evenly matched Kingaroy and Nanango A Grade sides.
At half-time, Nanango led by just four tries to three after a see-sawing half where both sides took the lead at times.
The Stags’ points came from Drew Jackson, Blake Harvey, Ashley Smallwood, Gary Bailey and three conversions by Andrew Hewitt.
Kingaroy’s points were courtesy of Joel Hopkins, Michael Christenson and Kane Stannard, with one kick to Matt Allen.
Nanango went into the break leading 22-14.
The Red Ants came out of the break refreshed and determined, piling on three tries in six minutes, to Michael Christenson, Dylan Jarman and Matt Allen. Again only one was converted, this time by Jarman.
Kingaroy’s six point margin was quickly negated when Clinton Harvey scored four minutes later and Andrew Hewitt nailed a difficult kick from the sideline to even the points, 28-all.
The Red Ants took the lead again a few minutes later when Nick Otto put the ball over the line, but again there was no luck with the conversion attempt, this time hitting the post.
Three minutes later, the Red Ants went in again via Kane Stannard to push further ahead, 36-28, but again the kick was no good.
The last 10 minutes belonged to Nanango, with tries to Blake Harvey (2), Ashley Smallwood and Keiran Harvey. In contrast, Hewitt didn’t miss any of the conversions.
The final score was Nanango 52, Kingaroy 36. Both sides scored five tries in the second half, with the kicking being the only separator.
Nanango’s Andrew Hewitt finished with eight goals from nine attempts; in comparison Kingaroy only landed two kicks all day.
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Other Results:
- U18 – Murgon 30, Cherbourg 20
- U16 – Murgon 16, Cherbourg 16
- U12 – Murgon 0, Cherbourg 46
In Under 18s, Murgon tries were scored by Barwoo Fisher, Lehman Brunjes, Coby Sullivan, Buddy Stanley, Anthony Gray and Jordan Lynas. Lynas also kicked three goals. Cherbourg tries were scored by Steven Priestley, Steven Langton (2) and Jaleehl Murray. Langton kicked two goals.
