April 19, 2015
The South Burnett Eagles put on a strong showing in the rep rugby league trials played at Nanango on Saturday, winning both their games by large margins.
In the first game, South Burnett defeated Central Districts 30-0 but the scoreline didn’t reflect the intensity of the match, especially in the first 30-minute half when Central were unlucky not to put any points on the board.
However, the Eagles took off in the second half and simply overwhelmed the Central defence.
Tries were scored by Tua Peti (2), Ryan Stower, Alex “Bunyip” Speedy (2) and Luke Hedges. Speedy also kicked three conversions.
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The second game was between Northern Districts and Central Districts.
Central again put on a stronger display in the first half than the second.
At half-time, Northern were ahead 18-6 but this had blown out to 50-6 when the full-time hooter sounded.
Central’s sole try was scored by Blake Popp and converted by Shane Morgan.
For Northern Districts, tries were scored by Sione Moi Moi (3), Sekope Tua, Peni Takalau, Andrew Filo, Manu Halasima, captain Tim McIntosh and Mitchum Dawes. Conversions: Filo kicked 6 from 8, and McIntosh one.
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The third game shaped up as an exciting contest with both the South Burnett and Northern Districts coming off strong wins.
A 15-minute break was ordered between the games to allow Northern a chance to recover from the previous match but it may not have been enough for their big men.
South Burnett scored first and backed it up with two more tries before Northern – who were starved of possession – opened their account.
At half-time, the Eagles led 22-6 and had not given a penalty away while loose play had cost Northern dearly.
South Burnett opened the scoring in the second half but this time Northern held them for nearly 15 minutes before scoring themselves through Saffineta Katoa.
A mistake by Northern led to the next Eagles’ try. A long kick from the South Burnett rolled into the in-goal area and then propped just short of the dead ball line.
The Northern fullback had been shepherding the ball over the line but then suddenly realised he had to get it back into the field of play quick smart. He did this but then a dropped pass gave the Eagles possession a few metres out from the goal mouth.
That was all Luke Hedges needed to ground the ball near the post with just a minute left to play.
The final score was South Burnett 34, Northern Districts 12. The penalty count went against Northern 8-3.
For Northern Districts, tries were scored by Manu Halasima and Saffineta Katoa. Andrew Filo kicked two from two.
For the South Burnett, tries were scored by Terry Stanton, Thomas Simpson, Tua Peti, Chris Bond, Jye Hopkins and Luke Hedges. Alex Speedy kicked 5 from 6.
- Related article: Squad Picked For 47th Battalion
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Round 1 of the Junior Rugby League competition will kick off this weekend.
At Wondai, the Wondai Wolves will play the Cherbourg Hornets on Friday night (April 24).
5:00pm – Under 6s & 8s
5:45pm – Under 10s
6:45pm – Under 12s
At Murgon, the Murgon Mustangs will face the Kingaroy Red Ants on Anzac Day (April 25):
1:00pm – Under 6s & 8s
2:00pm – Under 10s
3:00pm – Under 10s
4:00pm – Under 12s
5:00pm – Under 16s
6:00pm – Under 18s – Murgon v Cherbourg
7:00pm – A Grade – Murgon v Kingaroy (pre-season game)
At Gayndah, the Central Burnett Brumbies will play the Nanango Stags on Sunday (April 26).
10:30am – Under 6s and Under 8s
11:30am – Under 10s
12:30pm – Under 12s
NB. There will be no U14s games because of 47th Battalion duties at Bundaberg. The Senior competition will begin on May 9.
