April 28, 2017
The Wondai Wolves ran out of time to run down the Cherbourg Hornets in their opening game of the 2017 South Burnett Rugby League competition last weekend.
The Wolves, playing before a home crowd, enjoyed a strong start, leading 10-4 for most of the half before a converted Cherbourg try levelled the scores at the break.
Half-time was called a couple of minutes early when a Wondai player suffered a leg injury which required ambulance transport.
When the game restarted, Wondai’s Jack McDowell wasted no time in trying to build the Wolves’ lead, quickly scoring in corner. Luke Hedges’ kick was on target and the Wolves led 16-10.
The gap grew a bit further when a Cherbourg player conceded a penalty in front of the goal and Hedges made short work of the resulting kick.
But Cherbourg – who won four South Burnett premierships in the past five years – weren’t about to quit, putting on two quick tries to go into the lead for the first time and taking the score to 22-18 with 14 minutes left in the game.
The second of these tries actually came from a goal-line drop-out by the Hornets; a Cherbourg player recovered the ball after a short kick which allowed Gene Sullivan to score under the posts at the other end of the field.
With five minutes to go, George Fisher scored again for the Hornets; Bernard Hopkins’ kick was good and it looked like the final score would be 28-18.
But with just seconds to go, Marty Holding scored a consolation try for the Wolves. Hedges’ kick after the siren added the extras, and the final score was Cherbourg 28, Wondai 24 in a very entertaining game of rugby league.
Cherbourg tries were scored by Daniel Weazel (2), Malachi Wallace, Gene Sullivan and George Fisher. Goals were kicked by Lewis Hopkins (2) and Bernard Hopkins (2)
Wondai tries were scored by Jack McDowell (2), Tristan Parry and Marty Holding; and Luke Hedges kicked four goals.
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In the other seniors game played in the South Burnett on Saturday, the Murgon Mustangs defeated Kingaroy 50-26 at the Murgon Sportsground.
The half-time score was 22-10 but the Mustangs put on five tries back-to-back after the break.
Murgon tries were scored by Jameel Sullivan (2), Daniel Georgetown (2) Mark Saltner, Gordon Fonua, Cody Beggs, Peter Bligh and Stafford Saltner. Chris Bond kicked seven goals.
Kingaroy’s points came via Mitch Crossley (2 tries and 3 goals) and tries to Isileli Haunga, Adam Geiger and Penisimani Teutau.
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Other Results
U16s
- Murgon/Wondai 10 – Cherbourg 60
- Chinchilla 18 – Kingaroy 32
- Central Burnett 16 – Nanango 34
U14s
- Wondai 18 – Cherbourg 24
- Murgon 4 – Kingaroy 18
- Central Burnett 18 – Nanango 28
U12s
- Wondai 8 – Cherbourg 56
- Murgon 22 – Kingaroy 12
- Central Burnett 8 – Nanango 24
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In the Toowoomba U18s competition, Southern Suburbs held off the South Burnett Eagles to lead 36-18 at full-time in their game played at Toowoomba last Saturday.
At half-time, the Tigers were ahead 22-4, but the Eagles scored two quick tries to bring the scores closer midway through the half.
South Burnett tries were scored by Cohen Beggs, Conan Holding, George Fisher and Corey Cross. Fisher kicked one goal.
The South Burnett will enjoy a home game on Saturday, meeting Pittsworth at the Murgon Showgrounds at 11:30am.
CORRECTION: The match between South Burnett and Pittsworth will be played at Murgon on May 6.
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Round 1 of the Sunshine Coast JRL’s Girls competition was played in Caboolture last Friday night (April 21).
The South Burnett has three girls’ teams competing in the competition: in U14s, U16s and U18s.
The South Burnett’s U14s side enjoyed a big start to their 2017 campaign, downing Nambour 52-0.
The U16s also enjoyed a win, defeating Nambour 18-4.
The U18s weren’t so lucky, going down 52-22 against Nambour.
The three teams were due to be in action again on Friday night, this time in Kawana.
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Round 2 Draw
Juniors (U6 to U12)
- Cherbourg v Central Burnett (at Gayndah) – U6s 11:00am, U8s 11:00am, U10s noon, U12s 1:00pm – on Sunday
- Nanango v Murgon (at Nanango) – U6s & U8s 9:00am, U10s 10:00am and U12s 11:00am
- Murgon v Dalby (at Nanango) – U12s 1:00pm
- Kingaroy v Wondai (at Kingaroy) – U6s 9:00am, U8s 9:45am, U10s 10:45am, U12s noon
U14s
- Kingaroy v Cherbourg (at Kingaroy) – 1:00pm
- Nanango v Chinchilla (at Nanango) – 3:00pm
- Murgon v Central Burnett (at Murgon) – 7:00pm – on Friday
- Wondai – bye
U16s
- Cherbourg v Central Burnett (at Gayndah) – 2:00pm
- Nanango v Chinchilla (at Nanango) – 2:00pm
- Kingaroy v Wondai / Murgon (at Kingaroy) – 2:15pm
A Grade
- No senior football is on this weekend in the South Burnett due to the 47th Battalion games being played at Rockhampton
