August 28, 2016
The combined Wondai / Nanango team will face Central Burnett in the Grand Final of the U16s South Burnett Rugby League competition after downing the Cherbourg Hornets 26-20 in a tight game played at Wondai on Saturday.
Cherbourg, coming off a loss to the Brumbies last weekend, were on the wrong side of the ledger at half-time, behind 10-0 after tries by Jakeb Mead and Kaia Williams.
The Hornets started running more freely after the break, notching up two quick tries – by Tyreese Gyemore and Isaiah Colonel – to level the scores at 10-all.
But Wondai / Nanango, inspired by a half-time speech where they were told to “own” the next 30 minutes, quickly lifted and began attacking the Cherbourg line.
Their first attempt to break the deadlock failed when the ball was lost over the line, but a couple of minutes later Broderick Williams made no mistake, scoring in the corner.
Then a Jack Scott try on the other side of the field, converted by Jakeb Mead, took the Wondai / Nanango margin out to 10 points, 20-10.
The combined side tried to improve this, opting to take a penalty kick with eight minutes left on the clock, but unfortunately for local fans, this was waved away.
Cherbourg then went on the attack, with a Hayden Boney try – which he converted – and the Hornets, spurred on by a crowd of supporters, started to look like they could pull off a win.
But against the run of play, Conan Holding scored under the posts for Wondai / Nanango to provide a better a cushion for the home side. Mead converted, and the score was 26-16.
In the dying seconds, Tyreese Gyemore scored his second try for the day, giving the Hornets a consolation try right on full-time.
The final score was Wondai / Nanango 26, Cherbourg 20.
Wondai / Nanango tries were scored by Broderick Walters, Jakeb Mead, Conan Holding, Kaia Williams and Jack Scott. Jakeb Mead kicked three goals.
Cherbourg try scorers were Tyreese Gyemore (2), Hayden Boney and Isaiah Colonel. Hayden Boney kicked two goals.
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Cherbourg’s luck was better in the U14s Preliminary Final, downing Nanango 18-10 to go through to the Grand Final game against Wondai next weekend.
Hornets’ tries were scored by Edward Aubrey, Selwyn Cobbo and Saxton Hamson. Selwyn Cobbo kicked three goals.
Nanango tries were scored by Connor Fitzpatrick and Jake Keating. Matthew Springate kicked one goal.
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The Central Burnett Brumbies proved too strong for Cherbourg in the third Preliminary Final played at Wondai on Saturday … the U12s.
Central Burnett racked up 22 points to 12, and will face Kingaroy in the Grand Final next Saturday.
Central Burnett tries were scored by Matthew Roth (2), Raymond Loakes and Khye Williams. Clancy Bambling, Dayne Dakin-Mimi and Khye Williams each kicked a goal.
Cherbourg tries were scored by Kytel Sandow, Dominic Sandow and Bunda O’Chin.
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The Warwick Cowboys overpowered Burnett Blue 52-26 in their U18s Qualifying Final played at Clive Berghofer Stadium in Toowoomba on Saturday.
Blue tries were scored by Elwyn Fewquandie (2), Ralph Gyemore, Dylan Wilson and Jakeel Gadd. Ralph Gyemore kicked two goals and Kahdeem Murray one.
Burnett Blue still have another chance in the Toowoomba Rugby League competition, coming up against Pittsworth next Saturday.
The Pittsworth Danes – who finished just behind Burnett Blue during the season on for / against – defeated Brothers 24-18 on Saturday in the Elimination Final.
