Mustangs Book Into Grand Finals

Michael Giles shakes off defenders to score for the Mustangs in their Major Semi-Final clash with Nanango

September 3, 2021

Murgon Mustangs A Grade and Under 14s have both booked spots in the South Burnett Rugby League grand finals after strong performances last weekend.

In A Grade, the Mustangs galloped away in the first half of the Major Semi-Final played at Kingaroy to lead 26-6 at half-time over early-season favourites Nanango.

A penalty which the Stags gave away in front of the posts just before the break – and a disallowed try early in the second half – proved crucial to the final result.

Murgon appeared to tire as the game rolled on, allowing the Stags to score several late tries, but held on to win 32-28.

Mustangs’ tries were scored by Jameel Sullivan (2), Daron Saltner-Bligh, Michael Giles and Josiah Alberts. Saltner-Bligh kicked five from five plus a penalty goal.

For Nanango, tries were scored by Blake Harvey (3), Thomas Springate and Joel Smallwood. Springate kicked four goals.

Harvey’s three tries came back-to-back in the last 15 minutes of the game, and had Murgon fans holding their breath until the full-time siren sounded.

The Stags will now play Cherbourg this Saturday in the Preliminary Final at Murgon Sportsground to determine the second Grand Final spot.

Jameel Sullivan reaches over his head to score for Murgon against the posts

Josiah Alberts catches an across-field kick to run away and score for Murgon in the lead-up to half-time

The try that wasn’t … Nanango “scores” off a forward pass just after half-time

Blake Harvey storms towards the line to score the first of his three back-to-back tries for Nanango in the last 15 minutes … it wasn’t quite enough to give the Stags victory

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Paddy Alberts celebrates after scoring under the posts for the Hornets, extending Cherbourg’s lead

Cherbourg earned the right to play in the Preliminary Final by downing Kingaroy 33-22 in the Minor Semi-Final.

The Hornets led 12-6 at half time but the Red Ants looked a threat right up until the last few minutes.

This game began with a minute’s silence for former Hornets player, Fred Aubrey, who died recently.

Cherbourg scored first but it wasn’t long before the scores were locked at 6-all.

The first half was marred by an injury to a Red Ants player which delayed the game for about 20 minutes.

The Red Ants came back strongly after half-time and at one time were within just four points behind after Jye Thorley scored and Ashley Smallwood converted.

The Hornets took their lead out again but Kingaroy immediately struck back with 14 minutes left, to be behind 28-22.

Hornets’ veteran Bernard Hopkins quickly sized up the situation and lofted a successful field goal to make Kingaroy’s target just that bit more difficult in the last 10 minutes.

An intercept try by Bronson Fogarty put the win for Cherbourg beyond doubt with less than a minute to go.

The loss brought Kingaroy’s season to an end.

Cherbourg tries were scored by Bronson Fogarty (2), Bernard Hopkins, Alex Speedy, Errol Simpson and Paddy Alberts. Speedy kicked four conversions and Bernard Hopkins, a field goal.

For Kingaroy, tries were scored by Jye Thorley (2), Connor Sullivan and Jayden Jarvis. Ashley Smallwood kicked three conversions.

Connor Sullivan scores for Kingaroy … Ashley Smallwood’s conversion levelled the scores at 6-all with 15 minutes left in the first half

Errol Simpson spun around out of a Kingaroy tackle to score early in the second half

Bronson Fogarty dives to score his second try after intercepting a pass and taking off … the try sealed Cherbourg’s win in the dying seconds of the Minor Semi-Final

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Under 14s

Nanango’s defence was keen, stopping several Bulldogs’ try-scoring opportunities in the first half

The Major and Minor Semi-Finals in the South Burnett Under 14s competition were also played at Kingaroy on Saturday.

In the first game, Nanango Stags 6 defeated Chinchilla 4, ending the Bulldogs’ season in a low-scoring but keenly competed Minor Semi-Final.

As ground commentator Darren Schmidt noted, the Stags were “an antler ahead” at half-time … and that’s how it stayed, with no points scored by either side in the second half.

Nanango’s try was scored by Ryan Wallace and converted by Kaiden Weston.

Franky Bligh, who has been Chinchilla’s standout try scorer all season, put on the Bulldogs’ only points, right on half-time.

Franky Bligh crosses the tryline for Chinchilla right on half-time

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Kingaroy Red Ants were testing the Mustangs in the first half

The Under 14s Major Semi-Final was contested by the Murgon Mustangs and Kingaroy Red Ants, with the winner going through to the Grand Final on September 11.

Kingaroy scored first but at half-time were behind 18-10.

Murgon changed gears in the second half with three quick tries before Kingaroy’s Tom Beil scored a runaway consolation try under the posts in the last three minutes.

The final score was 36-16.

Murgon tries were scored by Trent Aubrey (2), Darryl Gyemore (2), Zachary Harris, Ziggy Pidgeon and Nick Webb. Darryl Gyemore kicked four goals and Trent Aubrey kicked one.

For Kingaroy, try scorers were Liam Irwin, Harrison Braithwaite and Tom Beil. Lawson Braithwaite kicked two goals.

Kingaroy will face Nanango in Murgon this weekend to determine the second Grand Final spot.

Darryl Gyemore scored two tries and kicked four goals

Nick Webb takes the Murgon lead to 16-14 in the first half

Tom Beil scored a defiant, runaway try in the last few minutes for Kingaroy

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Toowoomba JRL

Sadly, both South Burnett Eagles teams won’t be progressing any further in the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League competition after losses in Minor Semi-Finals at Oakey at the weekend.

Gatton 34 defeated South Burnett Eagles 18 in Under 15s.

And in Under 16s, Highfields 46 defeated the Eagles 24.