July 18, 2016
The weather wasn’t the best – in fact, it was pretty miserable for all the oldies present – but the young footballers taking part in Saturday’s Mini Mod Carnival at Wondai didn’t seem to mind too much.
Actually, they seemed to be having heaps of fun as the rain tumbled down.
And amazingly, only one of the teams booked into the important U12s competition failed to show up but as Hervey Bay West had brought down extra players, a combined scratch team was put together so no one missed out on a game.
None of the South Burnett teams taking part this year made it through to the U12s Grand Final.
That honour went to two visiting teams from the coast: Burrum Miners, from Burrum Heads; and Wallaroos, from Maryborough.
The irony that two teams, located just 30 minutes apart, had arisen extra early to travel 200 or so kilometres to play each other in the rain wasn’t lost on the coaches.
There was plenty of good-natured grumbling on the sidelines as the rain fell and the temperature plummeted.
But there was also a lot of encouragement for their young players, eager to claim the Mini Mod trophy.
The Wondai Mini Mod Carnival is always one of the highlights of the junior rugby league year in the South Burnett.
The games are played with modified rules – no goals, no scrums – with 19 minute matches for U12s and shorter games for younger age groups.
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U12s Best Players
- Burrum Miners – Jessie Stinson
- Central Burnett Brumbies – Ryan Johnson
- Cherbourg – Junior Gyemore
- Hervey Bay West – Kyle Ross
- Kingaroy – Aiden Pskit
- Maryborough Wallaroos – Cooper Burke
- Murgon Mustangs – Harry Boully
- Nanango Stags – Bailey Cavanagh
- Wondai Wolves – Jeremy Hobbs
Player of the Final: Cooper Burke (Wallaroos)
* * *
Grand Final
The rain ensured that the Grand Final of the U12s was a slippery affair for the young players, and only the hardiest spectators stuck it out to watch in the stands.
Maryborough Wallaroos ran out winners 4-2 over Burrum Miners in a keenly fought contest.
Wallaroos’ tries were scored by Cooper Burke (2), Lucas Kemble and Herbert Daffy
Burrum Miners’ scorers were Lachlan Hutchins and Levi Shaw.
* * *
U12s Results
- Wondai def. Cherbourg (forfeit)
- Wallaroos def. Murgon
- Kingaroy drew with Burrum Miners
- Cherbourg def. Murgon
- Nanango def. Hervey Bay West
- Central Burnett def. Hervey Bay combined (forfeit)
- Wallaroos def. Wondai
- Burrum Miners def. Murgon
- Kingaroy drew with Central Burnett
- Hervey Bay West def. Cherbourg
- Nanango def. Hervey Bay combined (forfeit)
- Wallaroos def. Central Burnett
- Burrum Miners def. Wondai
- Hervey Bay West def. Kingaroy
- Cherbourg def. Hervey Bay combined (forfeit)
- Wallaroos def. Nanango
- Burrum Miners def. Central Burnett (forfeit)
- Hervey Bay West def. Murgon
- Kingaroy def. Hervey Bay combined (forfeit)
- Nanango def. Wondai
