March 18, 2016
Last year’s grand finalists Wondai suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Cherbourg in Round 1 of the Burnett Rugby League competition played at the weekend.
The Wolves could perhaps blame the heat for the 58-0 scoreline at half-time at Jack O’Chin Oval, Cherbourg.
However, a string of missed tackles and failing to keep their defensive line intact didn’t help, either.
When the game resumed, organisers decided to play two 20-minute halves to allow the players a drink break.
But there was no relief for Wondai who struggled to get any possession.
At three-quarter time, the score was 76-0, and 10 minutes later the game was called off at 86-o.
Cherbourg tries were scored by Alex Speedy (4), Fred Cobbo (3),Keith Gadd Jnr (2), Feed Aubrey (2), Malachi Wallace, Nathan Gadd, Dennis Sandow, James Bligh, Anthony Gray and Daryle Sullivan.
Goals were kicked by Fred Aubrey (7) and Dennis Sandow (2).
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Earlier in the afternoon at Cherbourg, the South Burnett Eagles Blue and South Burnett Eagles White played their first game of the season in the Toowoomba U18s competition.
The local derby promised to be an interesting game.
Cherbourg, Murgon and Central Burnett players are eligible to be selected for the Blues, while Wondai, Kingaroy and Nanango players make up the Whites.
At half-time, the Blues had a handy lead, ahead 30-4 after dominating possession.
A highlight of the half was a clever intercept by Blues’ player Ralph Gyemore near his own line. Gyemore ran the length of the field to plant the ball under the posts. He then converted his own try.
Whites struck back after the break, scoring the first two tries and slicing back the Blues’ lead to 30-16.
At the midway point of the second half, James Christensen scored his second try for the Whites, which Kirby Rubesaame converted, taking the score to 34-22.
But that was as good as it was going to get for the southern team.
Elwyn Fewquandie’s third try, scored with eight minutes to go, sealed the win for the northerners.
The final score was Blues 40, Whites 22.
Blues’ tries were scored by Elwyn Fewquandie (3), Buddy Stanley, Peter Langton, Ralph Gyemore and Errol Simpson.
Gyemore kicked six conversions.
Whites’ tries were scored by James Christensen (2), Kirby Rubesaame and Jayce Allery.
Rubesaame kicked three goals.
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In the other A Grade game, the Kingaroy Red Ants defeated the Murgon Mustangs 56-24 in Kingaroy.
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There will be no A Grade league played in the South Burnett this weekend because local teams will be taking part in the annual “Clash For Cash” competition at Mundubbera.
Teams taking part are Monto, Eidsvold, Mundubbera, Gayndah, Cherbourg, Murgon, Wondai and Kingaroy.
However, there will still be some great games for local fans to enjoy.
On Saturday, the South Burnett Eagles Blue U18s will be taking on Pittsworth at Wondai at 2:30pm.
On Sunday, games from Round 3 of the Mal Meninga and the Cyril Connell cups will be played at Nanango, as well as another Toowoomba U18s clash.
- At 11:00am, the U16 Central Crows will face the Ipswich Diggers in a Cyril Connell Cup match.
- At 12:30pm, the U18 Crows and Diggers will go head-to-head in a Mal Meninga Cup game.
- At 2:00pm, the South Burnett Eagles White will be playing Souths (Toowoomba) in U18s.
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Other Results:
- In Under 14s, Cherbourg 30 defeated Wondai 14.
Cherbourg tries were scored by Eddie Aubrey (2), Arshell Hopkins, David Hopkins, Derek Gyemore and James Wragge. Selwyn Cobbo kicked three goals.
Wondai tries were scored by Harry Burt, Dylan Goodchild and Brayden Anderson. Albert Dynevor kicked one goal.
- In Under 12s, Cherbourg 22 defeated Wondai 0
Cherbourg tries were scored by Bunda Bell (2), Kytel Sandow, Braithan Colonel-Hopkins and Greg Sandow. Lloyd Langton kicked one goal.
