July 14, 2015
Wondai demolished Monto and Cherbourg downed Mundubbera in the finals of the Burnett Rugby League Championship played at Murgon on Saturday.
The Burnett Championship – four rounds of North Burnett teams v South Burnett teams – was introduced this year as a break in the middle of the regular competition to give players from both areas variety in the opposition they were facing.
On Saturday, the leader of the South Burnett competition, Wondai, played the North Burnett ladder leader Monto for the Burnett Cup, while the second-placed teams, Cherbourg and Mundubbera, played for the Burnett Plate.
A good crowd, including many vocal North Burnett supporters, turned out at Murgon for the games despite the prediction of icy weather.
A minute’s silence was held before the start of both finals to remember Charlie Williams, a well-known former South Burnett footballer who played for many local sides including Cherbourg and Wondai.
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The Burnett Cup
The Wondai Wolves – undefeated until last weekend’s round against Murgon – were simply too strong for Monto in the Burnett Cup final.
The onslaught began as soon as the whistle blew with tries to Danny Alberts (2), Kobi Meehan, Jack McDowall and Brenton List. At one point, Wondai led 30-nil.
It took the Roos 34 minutes to put on their first points: a try to Dean McCulloch converted by Shane Carter. But five minutes later, Monto were in again, with Wayne Smith crossing the line.
At half-time, Wondai led 30-10 but the two quick tries must have been giving Monto supporters who had travelled so far to watch the game a tiny bit of hope.
But that evaporated quickly after the break, with Wondai scoring three tries in six minutes: by Luke Hedges, Ryan Stower and Danny Alberts (his third).
As the half progressed, both sides lost discipline. With 15 minutes to go a Wondai player was sin-binned, and then a few minutes later both a Wondai and a Monto player were binned after some more pushing and shoving.
But even with two men off the field, Wondai continued scoring.
When the full-time siren finally put the Roos out of their misery, Wondai was ahead 72-10.
Wolves’ fullback Danny “Boy” Alberts had a remarkable game, scoring more than half of Wondai’s points with four tries and 11 goals from 11 attempts.
Other Wondai tries were scored by Jack McDowall (2), Brenton List (2), Ryan Stower (2), Luke Hedges and Kobi Meehan. Shane Borninkhof converted the last try.
Monto tries were scored by Dean McCulloch and Wayne Smith. Shane Carter kicked one conversion.
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The Burnett Plate
The Burnett Plate final between Cherbourg and Mundubbera was a closer affair with the Hornets really only gaining the upper hand in the second half.
Poor handling cost both sides dearly at times, and for the first 10 minutes neither was able to score.
Cherbourg broke through first, with a try to James Wragge.
The scoreboard then remained locked 4-0 until near the end of the half when Joseph Wragge scored for the Hornets.
Three minutes later Mundubbera opened their account with a try to to Jacob Kimber.
Cherbourg’s response came right on half-time when a cross-field run and a well-timed pass by fullback Fred Aubrey set up Alex Speedy to run three-quarters of the field to score.
At half-time, Cherbourg were ahead 14-6 but the result was still wide open.
The second half also began slowly, but this time it was Mundubbera’s turn to score first via a try to Anthon Wasang. The conversion attempt hit the posts and was waved away. The Tigers had now narrowed the gap to now just four points.
With 20 minutes left in the half, Cherbourg wound up the intensity with tries to Merton Bulmer and Alex Speedy.
Mundubbera’s Daniel Augustine again brought the Tigers closer but sadly for the vocal Mundubbera fans, Dylan Wagner’s conversion was going to be their last points for the day.
In the last 10 minutes Cherbourg scored twice more to take the final score to 36-16.
Cherbourg tries were scored by Alex Speedy (2), Fred Aubrey, James Wragge, Merton Bulmer, Joseph Wragge and Shamus Cobbo. Fred Aubrey kicked four goals.
Mundubbera tries were scored by Jacob Kimber, Anthon Wasang and Daniel Augustine. Dylan Wagner kicked two goals.
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Also on Saturday, the South Burnett Eagles U20s side was in action at Yeppoon.
They defeated Gladstone 42-18.
