July 30, 2015
Three President’s Cup matches were decided in junior rugby league in Kingaroy last weekend … and the home team was victorious in two of them.
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The first game, played on Friday night, was the U16s President’s Cup decider between the Kingaroy Red Ants and Cherbourg Hornets.
This was a very close game with the teams going try-for-try in the first half.
At half-time, Cherbourg led 12-8, after tries to Dan McConnell (Kingaroy), Errol Simpson (Cherbourg), Will Kling (Kingaroy) and Barry Tapau (Cherbourg).
Minutes into the second half, Red Ants’ Isaiah Gray levelled the scores and the conversion by Bailey Nicholls put Kingaroy ahead 14-12.
But just two minutes later Maurice Fisher grabbed the ball and ran away to score under the posts for the Hornets; Ralph Gyemore’s conversion put Cherbourg back in the lead.
With 14 minutes to go, Logan Bayliss scored to again level the scores 18-all, but the conversion hit the posts and was waved away.
For the next 10 minutes neither side could breach the other’s defence but then Kingaroy was awarded a penalty close to the Cherbourg line and sensibly elected to kick.
Bailey Nicholls made no mistake and Kingaroy was back in the lead 20-18.
Cherbourg made one more attempt to get back into the game, crossing the Kingaroy line right on the siren but unfortunately for Hornets’ fans, it was ruled no try.
Footnote: The Kingaroy Red Ants U15/16s played in the Youth Cup on Saturday in Dalby. Unfortunately two players broke their collarbones and will be out now for the rest of the season.
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Kingaroy also overcame Cherbourg in the U14s President’s Cup game, also played in Kingaroy last Friday.
This was another very tight match where Cherbourg was leading at half-time.
The Red Ants got off to a good start with tries to Angus Allery and Taylor Stead.
With the score at 10-0, Cherbourg clicked into gear, putting on four tries (Clifford Dynevor, Da-Von Bligh, Tyreece Gyemore and Alfred Watcho) to lead 16-10 at half-time.
Kingaroy was first to score after the break when Taylor Stead crossed for his second. Corey Cross’ kick levelled the scores 16-all.
But just a few minutes later, the Hornets took the front again when Tyreece Gyemore and Da-Von Bligh both scored again. Eddie Aubrey kicked Cherbourg’s first conversion for the night.
With less than 10 minutes to go, Cherbourg were leading 24-16 when Taylor Stead scored his hat-trick; Cross’ kick was good and Kingaroy had narrowed the gap to four points.
Supporters from both teams were screaming encouragement from the sidelines, but it was Kingaroy which rose to the occasion at home.
Nick Plint levelled the scores at 26-all, and Cross’ conversion put the Red Ants in the lead.
Cross then put the result beyond doubt when he crossed the line himself with just 38 seconds on the clock. He converted his own try to give Kingaroy a 34-26 victory.
Footnote: The Kingaroy U14s were in action again the next day, defeating Wondai 52-0.
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The third President’s Cup game was played on Saturday, an U12s game between Wondai and Kingaroy – also played at T.J.O’Neill Oval in Kingaroy.
This was a replay of the Grand Final at the Mini-Mods Carnival a week before, but this time the Wondai Wolves were victorious, spoiling the chances of a Red Ants weekend trifecta.
At half-time, Wondai led 12-4 but a Kingaroy fightback after the break brought them back into the game.
Final score was Wondai 22, Kingaroy 14.
Wondai tries were scored by Albert Dynevor (2), Coen McLean and Braxton Parry. Goals were kicked by Coen McLean, Nick Urban and Ishi Bond.
Kingaroy tries were scored by Harrison Brown, Connor Shadforth and Josh Ayre; Zac Bryant kicked one goal.
