Fans – and players – were taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotion during the see-sawing battle between the Nanango Stags and Murgon Mustangs played at T.J. O’Neill Oval in Kingaroy

August 13, 2021

Murgon Mustangs struck back to defeat ladder leaders Nanango in a see-sawing A Grade rugby league game played in Kingaroy last Saturday.

Nanango drew first blood just minutes after kick-off and at one stage led 14-0 after Rhyse Simpson, Patrick McCallum and Chris Clark scored three quick tries.

At half-time – and after a 20-minute injury delay – the Stags were still leading 14-4.

Nanango immediately resumed their attack on the Murgon line after the break, narrowly missing grounding the ball cleanly in the corner.

But this stroke of luck – and enthusiastic cheering from the sidelines – seemed to turn around the Mustangs’ fortunes.

Shane Borninkhof and Jameel Sullivan scored two quick tries. Daron Saltner-Bligh added the extras and Murgon was in the lead for the first time 16-14.

But Nanango weren’t finished and at the mid-point of the half, a Brent Greenslade try – converted by Thomas Springate – put the Stags back ahead, 20-16.

A tough 15-minute arm-wrestle ensued which had Mustangs’ fans screaming over the fence.

With five minutes left – and against the run of play – Jameel Sullivan broke through and scored for Murgon.

Daron Saltner-Bligh’s kick was on target, and Murgon was back ahead 22-20.

As full-time sounded, a frustrated Nanango side gave away a penalty, which Saltner-Bligh turned into two points after the siren, taking the final score to Murgon 24, Nanango 20.

Murgon try-scorers were Jameel Sullivan (2), Eddie Aubrey and Shane Borninkhof. Daron Saltner-Bligh kicked three conversions and one penalty goal.

Nanango tries were scored by Rhyse Simpson, Patrick McCallum, Chris Clark and Brent Greenslade. Thomas Springate kicked two conversions.

Eddie Aubrey puts the only points on the scoreboard for the Mustangs in the first half
Murgon always faced a tough encounter against the top-of-the-table Stags
Brent Greenslade scores for Nanango with 20 minutes left in the game, putting the Stags back into the lead

* * *

In the second A Grade game, played under lights, Kingaroy defeated Wondai Wolves 46-nil

* * *

Under 14s

Two Under 14s games were played at T.J. O’Neill Oval on Saturday:

Darryl Gyemore scores in the corner for the Mustangs in Under 14s

In the first, Murgon 40 defeated Nanango 4 after leading 22-0 at half-time.

Murgon try-scorers were Darryl Gyemore (2), Damon Cooper (2), Dustin Ramke (2), Zachary Harris and Ziggy Pidgeon.

Will Webber (2), Zachary Harris and Ziggy Pidgeon were the goal kickers.

Ryan Wallace scored Nanango’s try.

Damon Cooper scores the first of his two tries for the Mustangs

After a short break, Kingaroy Red Ants put on a strong display in front of their home crowd to defeat Chinchilla 62-18 after leading 36-6 at half-time.

Kingaroy tries were scored by Harrison Braithwaite (3), Braydon Watcho-Page (2), Tom Larsen (2), Tommy Beil (2), Jamie Searle and Brett Watcho-Page.

Lawson Braithwaite kicked four goals and Rory Crumpton, Fletcher Prain, Thomas Frohloff, Joshua Fearby and Tommy Beil kicked a goal apiece.

For Chinchilla, Franky Bligh scored two tries and Lawson Lewellyn scored one.

Riley Lankowski kicked three goals.

Harrison Braithwaite puts the first points on the board for the Kingaroy Red Ants
Brett Watcho-Page ran the length of the field to score under the posts
Tommy Larsen evades a Chinchilla tackle to score the first of his two tries for Kingaroy
Tommy Beil runs away to score the first of his two tries
Franky Bligh scored two tries for Chinchilla, standing out in a losing side

* * *

Under 18s

South Burnett Eagles defeated Goondiwindi Boars 28-20 after travelling out west to Gilbert Oval on Sunday.

South Burnett tries were scored by Lennox Bligh (2), Michael Stanley, Lachlan Zelinski, Joshua Peterson and Damon Strauf.

Lloyd Langton kicked two goals.

Goondiwindi try scorers were Isaiah McGrady, Jaycob Mudge, Myles Gibson and Caleb Braden. Two tries were converted.

* * *

Other Results

  • Under 15s – Toowoomba Brothers 46 defeated South Burnett Eagles 20 at Toowoomba
  • Under 16s – South Burnett Eagles had the bye

* * *

This Week’s Games

At Murgon Sportsground:

  • 8:00am – Under 12 – Cherbourg v Murgon 2
  • 8:50am – Under 12 – Kingaroy 2 v Murgon 1
  • 9:00am – Under 6s
  • 9:40am – Under 12 – Nanango v Kingaroy
  • 10:00am – Under 8s
  • 10:40am – Under 14 – Kingaroy v Nanango
  • 11:00am – Under 10 – Murgon 1 v Nanango
  • 11:40am – Under 14 – Murgon v Chinchilla
  • 11:50am – Under 10 – Kingaroy 2 v Murgon 2
  • 12:40pm – Under 10 – Kingaroy 1 v Cherbourg / Wondai
  • 12:40pm – Under 18 – South Burnett v Wattles
  • 2:00pm – A Grade – Nanango v Cherbourg
  • 3:30pm – A Grade – Murgon v Wondai

In Toowoomba:

  • Under 15s – South Burnett Eagles v Valleys Roosters
  • Under 16s – South Burnett Eagles v Valleys Roosters

 

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