August 27, 2019
Murgon Mustangs have locked in the first spot in the South Burnett Rugby League A Grade Grand Final after a gripping local derby against Cherbourg on Saturday afternoon.
The Major Semi-Final battle between the local rivals attracted a good crowd to Murgon Sportsground.
It was an important game, with the winning side earning a Grand Final berth and a week off, while the loser would have to play again next Saturday against the winner of the Minor Semi-Final (see below).
The Mustangs looked to be in control at the break, leading 23-10 … the unusual scoreline down to a cheeky field goal kicked after the half-time siren by Murgon’s Jameel Sullivan.
But Cherbourg came back with new life, picking up the next two tries, taking the scoreboard to 23-20.
The armwrestle continued with Murgon fighting back.
With 15 minutes left, the Mustangs were ahead 31-20 after two more tries but Cherbourg was pressuring the Murgon line and a last-minute win to the Hornets looked to be on the cards.
A stoppage for injury broke the momentum.
Six minutes out, Daron Bligh crossed for Cherbourg and Bernard Hopkins converted to take the Hornets within a converted try of success.
But the Minor Premiers held on and 31-26 was the final score.
Murgon tries were scored by Dwayne Malone (2), Barwoo Fisher, Elwyn Fewquandie, Jameel Sullivan and Maurice Fisher. Chris Bond kicked three goals. Jameel Sullivan kicked a field goal.
Cherbourg tries were scored by Errol Simpson, John Blair, Vincent Law, Daniel Cobbo and Daron Bligh. George Fisher kicked two goals and Bernard Hopkins, one.
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Minor Semi-Final
Wondai Wolves almost pulled off the miracle of season on Saturday afternoon, testing the Kingaroy Red Ants in their sudden-death A Grade Minor Semi-Final.
After the first 30 minutes, the scores were locked at nil-all. At half-time, the Wolves – who had notched up only two wins this season, including against Kingaroy – were ahead 16-10.
Wolves’ fans would have been forgiven for hoping they were about to end Kingaroy’s 2019 premiership chances.
But the second stanza belonged to the Red Ants.
Wondai held off the Kingaroy attack for the first 10 minutes before Kirby Rubesaame scored, putting the Red Ants just two points ahead.
The Wolves then held on gamely until the last 12 minutes, when Kingaroy piled on three more tries to take the final score to 30-16.
Kingaroy tries were scored by Corey Cross, Brodie Strickland, Kirby Rubesaame, Jaspar Millar, Luke Evans and Asofono Lemalu. Jack Rowan kicked three goals
Wondai tries were scored by Matthew Stumer (2) and Luke Hedges. Daniel Alberts kicked two goals.
The losses in three Minor Semi-Finals on Saturday have wrapped up the Wondai club’s 2019 season, a tough one during which players in all grades showed great courage.
Murgon are now through to the Grand Final, while Kingaroy will play Cherbourg next Saturday at 3:00pm in Cherbourg to determine the second Grand Final spot.
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Under 16s
In the last fixtures round of the season in the Toowoomba JRL Under 16s competition, Toowoomba Souths 28 def. Murgon 14.
Murgon played strongly, testing the Souths’ defence, and had the crowd behind them but it wasn’t enough.
At half-time Souths led 10-6.
With 14 minutes left, the Mustangs had narrowed the score to 14-16 and but for an unlucky conversion attempt which hit the posts, the scores would have been level.
But Souths laid on two quick tries in the last six minutes to blow out the scoreline.
Souths’ tries were scored by Shaun Packer (3), Lleyton Croome and Brayden Paix. Paix kicked four goals.
Murgon’s tries were scored by Glen Fisher, Chris Kerkow and Steven Walsh. Fisher kicked one goal.
Murgon finished in fourth spot on the ladder, earning a place in the Semi-Finals which will be played next Saturday in Highfields.
Minor premiers Highfields will play Toowoomba Souths in the Major Semi-Final while Murgon will play Dalby in the sudden-death Minor Semi-Final.
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Under 14s
In the Major Semi-Final, Nanango 20 def. Murgon 16 after Nanango led 8-4 at half-time.
Nanango’s tries were scored by Dominique Sandow (2), Bayden Alexander and Malakye Blow. Jayden Tewes-Smallwood kicked two goals.
Murgon’s tries were scored by Dion Sandow-Walsh, Noel Walsh and Danny Young. Joseph Meikle kicked two goals.
In the Minor Semi-Final, Chinchilla 36 def. Wondai 6.
Chinchilla’s tries were scored by Brock Sutton (4), Benjamin Waters, Jed Zerk and Kurt Budden. Jonathan Pitt kicked four goals.
The Wondai try was scored by Jesse Burrows-Lacey and converted by Christian Simpson.
Nanango are now through to the Grand Final, while Murgon will play Chinchilla in Cherbourg next Saturday at 1:15pm to determine the second Grand Final spot.
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Under 12s
In the Major Semi-Final, Kingaroy 14 def. Nanango 4.
Kingaroy’s tries were scored by Davonte Swan, Harrison Braithwaite and Thomas Frohloff. Edward Riley kicked one goal.
The Nanango try scorer was William Esen.
In the Minor Semi-Final, Murgon 14 def. Wondai 0.
Murgon’s tries were scored by Ziggy Pidgeon (2) and Jack Dunlop. William Smith kicked one goal.
Kingaroy are now through to the Grand Final, while Nanango will play Murgon in Cherbourg next Saturday at noon to determine the second Grand Final spot.
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SB Eagles Women
South Burnett Eagles women’s teams – U12s, U14s and U17s – travelled to Brothers Rugby League ground in Toowoomba on Sunday to take part in a Gala Day to decide places in the Preliminary Finals.
Unfortunately, numbers were short in the Under 12s, so the players joined with Valleys for games.
In Under 14s, the Eagles won three of their four games.
Under 17s notched up four wins (one by forfeit).
The top four teams from the U14s and U17s on the Gala Day will now play off in the Preliminary Finals on September 7 at Highfields to decide the teams for the Grand Finals on September 14.
In Under 14s, Warwick will play Valleys in the Major Semi-Final while South Burnett will take on Highfields in the sudden-death Minor Semi-Final.
In Under 17s, South Burnett will face Gatton in the Major Semi-Final while Valleys will play Brothers in the Minor Semi-Final.
