August 24, 2015
The Wondai Wolves have earned a spot in the A Grade Rugby League Grand Final – and a week off – after holding on to beat Cherbourg in the Major Semi-Final played on Saturday afternoon.
It was a day of drama at Wondai Sportsground, with eight semi-finals played across four age groups.
Most of the games were extremely close, with the U12s Major Semi-Final going into extra time.
Winners of the Major Semi-Finals all have booked a spot in their Grand Finals, while the losers will now play the winners of the Minor Semi-Finals next weekend.
The season is over for the losers of the Minor Semi-Finals.
Added drama came when a powerline snapped unexpectedly at the entrance to the ground, blacking out the broadcast box, electronic clock, scoreboard and lights at the sportsground (see separate report) as well as parts of Wondai.
This caused some confusion during the A Grade Major Semi-Final and forced the relocation of the A Grade Minor Semi-Final to Murgon.
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A Grade Major Semi-Final
The A Grade Major Semi-Final was a replay of last Saturday’s President’s Cup game between Wondai and Cherbourg.
And just like last weekend, Wondai were dominant in the first half, Cherbourg staged a revival in the second, and Wondai held on to win …
Wondai put first points on the board with back-to-back tries by Tua Peti.
Cherbourg’s Thomas Simpson then replied.
Wondai and Cherbourg then swapped tries three minutes, before a Wolves onslaught of three tries up to half-time.
The Wolves were leading 34-10 and looked unbeatable.
But just like last weekend, a re-invigorated Cherbourg took to the paddock at the break, scoring five tries and carving down the Wondai lead.
The Wolves’ Shane Borninkhof saved the day with a double to send Wondai into the Grand Final with a final score of 44-36.
Wondai tries were scored by Tua Peti (3), Shane Borninkhof (2), Wade Stanton, Marty Holding and Jack McDowall. Danny Alberts kicked six conversions.
Cherbourg tries were scored by Lewis Hopkins (2), Alex Speedy (2), Nathan Gadd (2) and Thomas Simpson (1). Fred Aubrey and Lewis Hopkins each kicked two goals.
Cherbourg will now play Kingaroy next weekend in Kingaroy to determine who will fill the second spot in the Grand Final.
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A Grade Minor Semi-Final
Despite some strong performances this year, and a brave showing in the Minor Semi-Final on Saturday night, the 2015 season is over for the senior Murgon Mustangs.
They came up against a determined Red Ants side in the sudden-death game played at Murgon Sportsground.
The Mustangs got off to a great start with Daniel Georgetown putting the first points on the board.
But Kingaroy quickly replied via Ashley Smallwood; Brodie Hatchman’s conversion put the Red Ants into the lead 6-4.
Three minutes later Hatchman put on a try for himself.
Kingaroy followed this up with another attack on Murgon’s line but the try was disallowed when a foot went into touch.
Murgon (Georgetown) and Kingaroy (Hatchman) then swapped tries, before Murgon cut back the lead with a try by Barwoo Fisher.
The Mustangs went into the break trailing Kingaroy by just two points after a keenly contested first half during which a player from both sides was sent to the bin.
Shortly after the re-start Murgon grabbed the lead when Jameel Sullivan scored and Chris Bond converted.
Kingaroy then battled back to draw even 20-all via a try by Jye Hopkins.
With 33 minutes left on the clock, play was stopped when Mustangs’ player Gordon Fonua suffered a suspected spinal injury in a tackle. An ambulance was called and paramedics treated Fonua before he was taken to hospital.
When play resumed, Kingaroy went on the attack with Jye Hopkins and Ashley Smallwood pushing Kingaroy to a 32-20 lead.
While the Kingaroy players were full of running, the Mustangs were starting to look tired but they weren’t about to give up.
With 10 minutes to go, Peter Bligh gave the home crowd some hope when he scored; Steve Watcho’s conversion brought Murgon to just six behind.
But with three minutes left, Mitch Crossley scored for Kingaroy, and then in the dying seconds Jye Hopkins scored his third to put a Red Ants’ victory beyond doubt at 42-26.
Kingaroy tries were scored by Ashley Smallwood (2), Brodie Hatchman (2), Jye Hopkins (3) and Mitch Crossley. Goals were kicked by Brodie Hatchman (3) and Ashley Smallwood (2).
Murgon tries were scored by Daniel Georgetown (2), Barwoo Fisher, Jameel Sullivan and Peter Bligh. Chris Bond, Barwoo Fisher and Steve Watcho each kicked one conversion.
Kingaroy will now play the Cherbourg Hornets next Saturday at Kingaroy to determine who will face Wondai in the Grand Final.
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U12s Semi-Finals
- U12s Major Semi Final:
Wondai 26 def. Cherbourg 22 in extra time. Tries for Wondai were scored by Callum Burt (2), Ryan Henness, Albert Dynevor and Rachael Evans. Nicholas Urban, Albert Dynevor and Christopher Kerkow each kicked one goal. Tries for Cherbourg were scored by Selwyn Dynevor, Joseph Hero and Izayah West (2). Billy Isaacs kicked two goals and Izayah West kicked one goal. NB. Two points were taken off Cherbourg because of incorrect use of the goal kicker. Wondai are through to the Grand Final.
- U12s Minor Semi Final:
Murgon 12 def. Kingaroy 10. Tries for Murgon were scored by Lennox Bligh and Lachlan Bligh. Glen Fisher and Lachlan Zelinski kicked the conversions. Josh Ayre scored two tries for Kingaroy and Toby Schmidt kicked one goal. Murgon will now face Cherbourg next weekend in the Preliminary Final.
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U14s Semi-Finals
- U14s Major Semi-Final:
Kingaroy 14 def. Nanango 4. Kingaroy tries were scored by Taylor Stead, Corey Cross and Zac Lane. Cross kicked one conversion. Nanango’s try was scored by Jake Larson. Kingaroy are through to the Grand Final.
- U14s Minor Semi-Final:
Cherbourg 18 def. Central Burnett 16. Tries for Cherbourg were scored by Alfred Watcho, Clifford Dynevor, Tyreece Gyemore and Tyrone Murray. Hayden Boney kicked one goal. Central Burnett tries were scored by Leapuna Havili (2) and Ryle Drayton (1). Drayton also kicked two goals. Cherbourg will now face Nanango next weekend in the Preliminary Final.
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U16s Semi-Finals
- U16s Major Semi-Final:
Kingaroy 30 def. Cherbourg 28. Kingaroy tries were scored by Alexander Dunemann (2), James Christensen, Harley Smith, Isaiah Gray and Kirby Rubesaame. Rubesaame kicked three goals. Cherbourg tries were scored by Barry Tapau-Fewquandie (2), Faron Davidson, Errol Simpson and Glen Hopkins. Goals were kicked by Ralph Gyemore (3) and Tapau-Fewquandie. NB. A powerline broke outside the Wondai Sportsground during the last 10 minutes of the match when the scores were locked at 24-all, which meant neither side knew how much time was left. Rubesaame secured the win for Kingaroy with a difficult conversion kick from the sideline with four minutes left. Kingaroy are through to the Grand Final.
- U16s Minor Semi-Final:
Murgon 44 def. Central Burnett 36. Tries for Murgon were scored by Kasey Lynas (3), Elwyn Fewquandie (3), George Fisher and Mitch Wilson. Fewquandie kicked four goals while George Fisher and Jarrell Sullivan each kicked one. Central Burnett tries were scored by Leapuna Havili (3), MJ Havili (2) and Stephen Cuppitt (2). Goals were kicked by Dawson Cross (2) and Jamal Kyle (2). The teams were locked at 30-all at full-time. Murgon will now face Cherbourg next weekend in the Preliminary Final.
