April 4, 2016
The Stags kicked off their season with a big win over the Red Ants at Fred Kassulke Oval in Nanango on Saturday.
Playing before a large home crowd, the Stags improved their form from last month when they were narrowly beaten by the Cherbourg Hornets in a pre-season game at the same venue.
Stags’ Ben Brown put the first points on the board just a few minutes into the match; his try was converted by Ashley Smallwood.
A few minutes later, Mitchell Case responded for the Red Ants with a try of his own.
But the Red Ants had no luck with the conversion, and when the Stags’ Rhyse Simpson replied with a try of his own not long afterwards, it put Nanango 10-4 ahead of their opponents.
Crossley was clearly unwilling to take this early lead lying down, and when he crossed for his second try and converted it, the teams were locked at 10-all.
This situation galvanised the Stags and with barely seven minutes of the first half time remaining, Drew Jackson got the ball across the line and Ashley Smallwood pulled off the conversion to put the Stags back in the lead.
Shannon Smallwood scored another for the Stags before the siren, but this time Ashley Smallwood’s conversion attempt bounced off the goal posts.
The Stags led the Red Ants 20-10 at half-time.
* * *
In the second half, Kingaroy began the point-scoring when Jye Thorley got the ball to the try-line.
Joel Smallwood replied for the Stags, but again Ashley Smallwood’s conversion bounced off the posts.
Smallwood made up for it with a try, converted by Jordan Wilson, extending Nanango’s lead to 30-14.
But the Red Ants weren’t out of the game yet.
Terry Stanton put in a big effort to land a try for his side, and Crossley kicked the conversion.
Minutes later, Chris Holmes scored for the Red Ants and again Crossley added the extras, bringing Kingaroy to within four points, 30-26.
Spurred into action, the Stags – despite losing several players to injury – went on the attack.
Ashley Smallwood led the charge with a blisteringly fast try; and just minutes later, Drew Jackson beefed his own effort over the scoreline after a clever dummy by Smallwood near the Red Ants’ goal.
Jackson’s try was converted by Wilson, taking the final score to 40-26.
