April 26, 2016
Traditionalists love Sunday afternoon rugby league … and Nanango fans would have to agree after the Stags defeated Gayndah 46-8 at the weekend.
Nanango’s Ashley Smallwood was the standout scorer, taking three tries and kicking seven conversions – including several difficult sideline kicks.
Gayndah, possibly sensing that points were going to be hard to find against Nanango in front of a home crowd, elected to kick when they were awarded a penalty for a tackle infringement in the first five minutes.
Damien George slotted home the two points, which would prove to be the visitors’ only joy in the first half.
Nanango racked up four tries – to Ben Brown, Ashley Smallwood, Brad Staples and Joel Smallwood – to lead 24-2 at half-time.
In the first minute of the second half, Ash Smallwood scored again and converted his own try, to put the Stags ahead 30-2.
Gayndah threw everything it had at Nanango in the sometimes fiery match but couldn’t make it over the Stags’ line.
Ashley broke free again to score with 20 minutes to go.
Nanango piled on another try four minutes later, this time by captain Joel Smallwood under the post for his second.
Gayndah’s Shane Morgan finally crossed for a consolation try with 10 minutes left on the clock after another bout of pushing and shoving by both teams.
George converted to take Gayndah’s final score to 8.
However, Nanango weren’t finished. Just minutes from full-time, Ben Simpson went over in the corner and Ashley Smallwood converted to make the final score 46-8.
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In other games:
Wondai Wolves were too strong at the end for the Eidsvold Eagles in their game played on Saturday evening at the Wondai Sportsground.
The home team ran away with a 36-20 win after leading 22-14 at half-time.
Wondai tries were scored by Danny Alberts, Josh Brown, Jordan Gilbert, Justin Labinsky, Jack McDowell and Brad Perese. Alberts kicked six goals.
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South Burnett U18 Blues defeated Toowoomba Souths 54-36 at Cherbourg on Sunday afternoon.
Toowoomba Valleys defeated South Burnett U18 Whites 26-16 in a close-fought game in Kingaroy on Friday night.
After six rounds, SB Blue is at fourth spot on the Toowoomba U18 ladder after securing four wins; SB White has had two wins from their five games.
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47th Battalion Juniors at Gayndah:
U13 Boys
- Sunshine Coast White – 23
- Sunshine Coast Gold – 21
- Bundaberg – 14
- Sunshine Coast Black – 7
- Fraser Coast – 5
- South Burnett – 4
U14 Boys
- Sunshine Coast White – 23
- Bundaberg – 20
- Sunshine Coast Black – 15
- Sunshine Coast Gold – 10
- South Burnett – 7
- Fraser Coast – 0
Under 16 Boys
- South Burnett – 9
- Bundaberg – 6
- Fraser Coast – 0
Under 14 Girls
- Sunshine Coast Black – 20
- South Burnett – 10
- Fraser Coast – 9
- Sunshine Coast Gold – 1
Under 16 Girls
- Sunshine Coast Gold – 19
- Fraser Coast – 9
- South Burnett – 6
- Sunshine Coast Black – 6
