April 6, 2015
Rugby league fans turned out in good numbers on Saturday in Kingaroy to watch the Central Crows take on the Northern Pride in the Cyril Connell Cup (U16s) and Mal Meninga Cup (U18s) competitions.
The two games were hosted by the Kingaroy Red Ants club at T.J. O’Neill Oval, so it was fitting that two Kingaroy juniors were playing in the Crows’ U16s team: Kirby Rubesaame and Logan Bayliss-Brow.
They were joined by U16s Central Burnett player Dawson Cross.
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Under 16s
The Northern Pride started strongly in the first game, putting on three unanswered tries before the Crows clicked into gear.
With eight minutes left in the 30-minute first half, Crows’ forward Bowdy Welldon ran away from the opposition to dive over the line in the corner for Central’s first points.
Four minutes later, Teykoa Nagas crossed under the goal posts in a dive from dummy half. Kingaroy’s Kirby Rubesaame converted the try to take the score to 14-10 at half-time.
The northerners – who were the 2014 Connell Cup champions – dominated the second half, racking up five more tries. The final scoreline was 40-10.
- Central Crows: Tries – Bowdy Welldon, Teykoa Nagas; Goals – Kirby Rubesaame
- Northern Pride: Tries – Damien Burke (2), Simon Bevan, Ewan Moore, Tazmon McRobbie (2), Stan Banu (2); Goals: Travis Gant, Jefferson Tamwoy (3)
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Under 18s
The U18s game was played in two 35-minute halves – and again the Northern Pride dominated their southern rivals.
At half-time they led 16-0 after three tries.
They were also first to score in the second half, before the Crows put on their first points as light rain began to fall.
Matthew Muller crossed in the corner. The try appeared to lift Central who then pressed the Northern defence again – at one point losing the ball over the line – before Corey Findlay held on to score 10 minutes later.
But these were the last points for the Crows, with the Pride finishing 28-8.
- Central Crows: Tries – Matthew Muller, Corey Findlay
- Northern Pride – Tries – Jack Willis, Brad Spicer, Blake Wallace, Yaza Stephen, Brett Andersen; Goals: Jacob Wallace (4)
- Related article: Cheer On Our Kingaroy Pair
