November 6, 2019
Saturday’s South Burnett A Grade rugby league grand final will be pitting the top two teams from 2019 against each other in a local derby that’s sure to have the fans filling the grandstands.
Minor premiers Murgon will face the Cherbourg after the Hornets dominated last weekend’s sudden-death Preliminary Final against Kingaroy.
The A Grade Grand Final will be played at Murgon Sportsground at 3:00pm, topping off a big day of grand final clashes.
In Under 12s, Kingaroy Red Ants will take on Nanango Stags and in Under 14s, the Stags and Murgon – which both finished the season on 26 points – will be facing off in a game that’s sure to be close.
South Burnett Rugby League president Dave Tierney said it should be a great day of football.
He wanted to pay special tribute to – and thank – the Central Burnett Rugby League who had been scheduled to host Grand Final Day.
However, when the junior Brumbies teams didn’t make it through to the grand finals, South Burnett approached Central Burnett to seek a change in venue.
“They could have said no, and they will be missing out on the canteen takings, but they agreed,” Dave said.
This meant that instead of South Burnett teams and fans travelling to Gayndah, the location was shifted to Murgon.
* * *
A Grade
- Cherbourg 54 def. Kingaroy 28
Cherbourg looked to be home and hosed halfway through the first 40 minutes of the Preliminary Final at Jack O’Chin Oval on Saturday.
At the midpoint of the half, Cherbourg was leading 22-0 when Brent Greenslade finally broke the Red Ants’ drought.
His try was followed just minutes later by Jack Rowan crossing, which took the score to 22-8.
Both Cherbourg and Kingaroy scored again before the break, making the half-time score 28-12.
The Red Ants went on the attack again when play resumed.
When Asofono Lemalu scored and Blake Augustine converted, the scoreline was looking a lot closer at 28-18.
But Cherbourg weren’t going to be denied a Grand Final spot, particularly when they were playing in front of a home crowd.
They changed gears and piled on five more tries before full-time.
With about a minute left, Lemalu scored a consolation try for Kingaroy, but it was nowhere near enough to save the Red Ants’ A Grade season.
Cherbourg tries were scored by Daron Bligh (2), Tyreece Gyemore, Errol Simpson, Thomas Simpson, Robert Langton, George Fisher, Peter Carlo, Vincent Law and Richard Conlon. George Fisher kicked seven goals.
Kingaroy tries were scored by Asofono Lemalu (2), Brent Greenslade, Jack Rowan, Christopher Quinn and Andrew Champney. Blake Augustine kicked two goals.
* * *
Under 12s
- Nanango 20 def. Murgon 10
Nanango tries were scored by Darcy English (2), Levi Kurz and William Esen. Kaiden Weston and English each kicked a goal.
Murgon tries were scored by Damon Cooper and Ziggy Pidgeon. Trent Aubrey kicked one goal.
* * *
Under 14s
- Murgon 38 def. Chinchilla 1o
Murgon tries were scored by Tytrell Combo-Wragge (2), Joseph Meikle, Nathan Roderick, Chill Pidgeon and Rohan Large. Meikle kicked four goals and Michael Fisher kicked three.
Chinchilla tries were scored by Jonathan Pitt and Myles Lenihan. Pitt kicked one goal.
* * *
Grand Final Game Times
Under 12s
- 12:30pm – Kingaroy Red Ants v Nanango Stags
Under 14s
- 1:40pm – Nanango Stags v Murgon Mustangs
A Grade
- 3:00pm – Murgon Mustangs v Cherbourg Hornets
