August 16, 2015
The Wondai Wolves have added the 2015 President’s Cup to their trophy cabinet after a bruising encounter with the Cherbourg Hornets in the A Grade rugby league match played on Saturday.
A good crowd turned out at Cherbourg’s Jack O’Chin Oval to watch the last round of fixtures for the season.
Cherbourg scored first via Thomas Simpson and last year’s Premiers looked to be off to a good start.
But the Wolves, who have been dominant this year, replied quickly and seemed to rattle Cherbourg. Tries to Damien Bull, Jeff Vaughn, Farron Aubrey and Tyrone Murray saw Wondai in the lead 22-6 at half time.
It wasn’t as if Cherbourg didn’t have any chances in the first half. At the mid-way point what looked to be a certain try when the winger kicked into clear space, broke down over the line.
At another point, the last past in a promising build-up went to ground – again, over the Wondai line.
But the Hornets got their sting back in the second half and began the task of chasing down the Wolves’ lead.
Gary Willmot scored a confidence-boosting try for Cherbourg just after the restart. Cherbourg were on their last tackle and kicked ahead, Wondai fumbled and Willmot picked up the ball and scored.
Then Nathan Gadd scored back-to-back tries. Fred Aubrey kicked one of the conversions and Cherbourg were trailing by just two points, 20-22.
Poor discipline by Cherbourg at this stage let them down and they gave away three penalties in a row. Wondai didn’t need another invitation, and Tyrone Murray scored.
Danny Alberts’ kick was good and Wondai had extended its lead to an awkward eight points.
There was still plenty of time for Cherbourg, and with 20 minutes to go Thomas Simpson scored his second for the day. Fred Aubrey’s kick brought them back to withing two points.
Then Cyril Georgetown scored in the corner, putting Cherbourg into the lead, 30-28.
Wondai captain Luke Hedges struck right back. Danny Alberts’ conversion attempt struck the post and went over. Wondai were back in the lead 34-30.
With seven minutes to go, a dangerous tackle on Wondai’s Tyrone Murray in the aire led to Murray limping off and a Cherbourg player being binned for the rest of the game.
Danny Alberts kicked the subsequent penalty goal.
The last three minutes were action-packed. An attempted field goal by Wondai to put the result beyond reach failed; and with less than a minute left – and the crowd roaring – Cherbourg’s final attack broke down when the last pass to the winger went into touch with the line open in front of him.
Wondai won the President’s Cup match 36-30.
The two teams will meet again next weekend in the first of the season’s semi-finals.
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Other Results
- U12 – Cherbourg 26 Kingaroy 22
- U12 – Central Burnett 8 Murgon 34
- U12 – Wondai 38 Nanango 10
- U14 – Cherbourg 10 Kingaroy 16
- U14 – Central Burnett 56 Murgon 16
- U14 – Wondai 10 Nanango 36
- U16 – Central Burnett 36 Murgon 30
