March 10, 2022
Kingaroy Red Ants had planned to host two local trial matches last Saturday, but the storms on the coast blew in a big bonus … three Round 2 games from the Statewide QRL junior competitions.
The club hosted the Wide Bay Bulls against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in their U16s Cyril Connell Challenge, U18s Mal Meninga Cup and U19s Harvey Norman games.
Wide Bay was the “home” team at T.J. O’Neill Oval with South Burnett players turning out in all three Bulls’ teams.
Three South Burnett players were in the Under 16s side: Malakye Blow, Travis Larner and Mathanial Cuthbertson
In the Bulls’ Under 19s women’s team, the South Burnett was represented by Aquila Malone, Rashida Scott, Violet Whitby, Phoebe Millar, Samantha Cobbo and Destiny Conlon.
Tyrell Hopkins and Lachlan Zelinski were the South Burnett’s reps in the Bulls’ Under 18s, with Hopkins chosen as vice-captain.
It was a huge day for the Red Ants, with a big crowd keeping the volunteers in the canteen and bar very busy.
The day was also a great opportunity for some of the South Burnett’s junior referees who clocked up some valuable experience on the sidelines in the QRL games and in the SBRL A Grade games.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Area Referee Development Officer, Michael Inman from the Sunshine Coast, for assisting with upskilling our junior referees Brenna and Lachlan Zelinski as refs for the A Grade trial games,” SBRL committee member Sheree Prendergast said.
“We also had our other junior referees run the lines for A grade, Bridie and Fletch Prendergast and Damon Strauf.
“We are also extremely grateful to all the A Grade teams who allowed this to occur during their trial games.”
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Wide Bay Bulls v Sunshine Coast Falcons
- Under 16s – Cyril Connell Challenge
The Wide Bay Bulls led 24-6 at half-time but the Falcons flew away in the last two quarters to draw the game 24-all.
Wide Bay tries were scored by Joseph Doyle, Thomas Morcom, Emmanuel Iboro and Daniel Cavanagh. Lucas Brough kicked four goals.
Sunshine Coast try scorers were Zac Garton (2), Khan Turnbull and Koby Brown. Caiden Ah-See kicked four goals.
- Under 18s – Mal Meninga Cup
Wide Bay put the first points on the board via a penalty kick in the opening minutes of the first quarter but that was the end of their luck against a strong Falcons’ side.
Sunshine Coast led 16-2 at half-time and kept the Bulls’ scoreless in the last two quarters.
Sunshine Coast try scorers were Mitchell Jennings (2), Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan, Tulloch McLellan and Jayden Smith. Finn Lawson and Ethan Bainbridge each kicked two goals.
Ryan Bugeja kicked the Bulls’ penalty goal.
- Under 19s – Harvey Norman Women
Sunshine Coast also dominated this contest against Wide Bay, with the final scoreline 26-0.
Falcons’ try scorers were Nancy Sullivan, Kirra Smith, Shannyn Harm, Jordan Jackson and Tamzin Taumafai. Malia Ting (2) and Kirra Smith were the goal kickers.
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A Grade Trial Games
In the trial matches, Wondai Wolves recorded a stunning 32-0 victory over the Across The Waves’ B Grade side.
Tries were scored by Sonny Weazel (2), Asofono Lemalu, Kedron Pointon, Alex Georgetown and Jeremy Hobbs. Alex Georgetown kicked four conversions.
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Across The Waves (44) proved too strong for the Kingaroy Red Ants (10) in their trial game, although the home team snuck in two late tries.
ATW Tigers tries were scored by Dallas Moto (2), Justin Bell, Sam Tobin, Jacob O’Shea, Ross Larsen, Brendan Grills and Layton Chambers. Chambers kicked five goals and Larsen one.
Travis Bice and Alex Pomfret scored the Kingaroy tries and Harry Sterling kicked one conversion.
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The previous weekend a keen group of young South Burnett Eagles headed out to Charleville to compete in the two-day Adrian Vowles Cup.
Both the Under 14s and Under 16s played well, with the older team finishing in third spot against 16 teams – with only one try scored against them all weekend.
The Under 14s finished ninth out of 17 teams despite having very few opportunities to train together.
At the end of the carnival, Tommy Beil (U16s) and Brayden Watcho-Page (U14s) were selected in the AV Cup Dream Teams for 2022.
Watcho-Page was also selected as the Under 14 Best Back of the carnival.
Mathaniel Cuthbertson (U16s) and Riley Gleich (U14s) were awarded the South Burnett Coaches’ Best and Fairest awards.
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Beyond The Nest training resumed this week at T.J. O’Neill Oval in Kingaroy.
The sessions are open to all players turning 13 this year (up to age 18) who are interested in playing rugby league or who are already registered.
