August 12, 2014
The Cherbourg Hornets will go into next weekend’s semi-finals undefeated after a strong win against Murgon in the President’s Cup match played before a big crowd in Kingaroy on Saturday.
The Intrust Super Cup game earlier in the afternoon may have been the TV highlight at Kingaroy, but the roar when the Mustangs and Hornets ran onto the field proved that local fans also appreciate South Burnett teams.
Cherbourg captain Dennis Sandow put the Hornets’ first points on the board 10 minutes into the game.
Fred Aubrey converted, the first of his six goals on the night.
Two minutes later Nigel Williams – who had a double – added more points for Cherbourg; followed another two minutes later by Nathan Gadd.
With Cherbourg leading 16-0 at the 20-minute mark, Murgon finally gained some possession and some points when Jameel Sullivan planted the ball between the posts and then converted his own try.
This was the beginning of a minor revival by the Mustangs before half-time.
With three minutes to the siren, Daniel Georgetown appeared to lose the ball over the line but was awarded the try. But in a great example of what goes around, comes around, Murgon’s Jameel Sullivan then slid over the line in what looked like a try, only to be called back.
At half-time, Cherbourg led 16-10 after a great half of football.
Cherbourg was on fire in the second half – scoring seven tries in a row, only interrupted briefly by a streaker. Try scorers were Nigel Williams, Beau Liddy, Cecil Sullivan (2), Carl Aubrey, Fred Aubrey and Lyndon Hopkins.
With five minutes to go, and the game well and truly lost, Mullie Watson saved some pride for the Mustangs at the deathknell.
The final score was Cherbourg 52, Murgon 14.
* * *
The first game played on Saturday’s big day of rugby league was between the home team, the Kingaroy Red Ants, and the Wondai Wolves.
A minute’s silence was held before the start of the game as a mark of respect for Adam Hatch, killed in a car accident on the Bunya Highway on Saturday night.
Wondai put the first points on the board with back-to-back tries to Damien Kinsella and Rhys Weber.
The Red Ants’ first try came after 19 minutes when Kane Stannard grounded the ball in the corner.
Wondai then followed up with two more four-pointers (Luke Hedges and Danny Alberts) before Cody Bauer added to Kingaroy’s score.
At half-time, Wondai led by just 18-10, with both sides having goal attempts waved away.
Kingaroy’s Mick Smallwood fired up the home crowd after the restart with a strong try, which was converted by Matt Allen, bringing the Red Ants to within two points.
Wondai coach Shane Cliff replied just two minutes later, shaking off defenders as he dived over the line.
The game took on a different complexion after one of the Wolves’ main playmakers, Luke Hedges, was injured, but even so Wondai were next to score when Rhys Weber – for the second time on the day – converted his own try.
Kingaroy came home with a wet sail but ran out of time. In the last minutes Jayden Jarvis and Josh Flood both scored, but neither try was converted.
The final score was Wondai 28, Kingaroy 24.
- Related article: ‘Fantastic’ Day For Rugby League
* * *
The major and minor semi-finals will be played at Kingaroy’s TJ O’Neill Oval on Saturday:
- 8:30am – U12 Major Semi – Nanango v Cherbourg
- 9:30am – U12 Minor Semi – Wondai v Central Burnett
- 10:30am – U14 Minor Semi – Nanango v Central Burnett
- 11:30am – U14 Major Semi – Murgon v Kingaroy
- 12:30pm – U16 Minor Semi – Kingaroy v Nanango
- 2:00pm – U16 Major Semi – Cherbourg v Murgon
- 3:30pm – U18 Major Semi – Murgon v Nanango (Cherbourg will play the loser of this game in the preliminary final next weekend)
- 5:00pm – A Grade – Minor Semi – Wondai v Kingaroy
- 7:00pm – A Grade – Major Semi – Cherbourg v Murgon
Alongside the semi-finals, juniors will also be in action:
- 9:00–11:00am – U6s
- 11:00am – 1:00pm – U8s
- 1:00pm onwards – U10s
Entrance to the grounds will be $5.
