June 3, 2022
It was the turn of the Nanango Stags last weekend to host the South Burnett Rugby League’s junior and senior games.
Fred Kassulke Oval was still soggy in places from all the recent rain and vehicles were banned from the grounds.
As night fell, the temperature dropped, proving winter was just around the corner.
The day started well for Stags’ fans with Nanango downing Kingaroy in Under 14s.
But the Murgon Mustangs proved too strong for the home team in A Grade.
At half-time the Stags were ahead 12-10 and looking good. However, five minutes into the second half, Nanango gave away a penalty in attack close to the line – and lost a player to the sin bin – setting the tone for the rest of the match.
The Mustangs piled on four unanswered tries, including an intercept by Glen Fisher near his line.
Fisher sprinted the length of the field to score.
With three minutes left, Nanango managed a converted try, taking the final score to Murgon 30, Nanango 18.
Murgon tries were scored by Glen Fisher (2), Jared Sippel (2), Daron Saltner-Bligh and John Walsh. Glen Fisher, John Walsh and Christopher Bond kicked one each.
Nanango try scorers were Tom O’Neill, Drew Jackson and Anthony Hill. Ashley Smallwood kicked three conversions.
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The second A Grade game on the night – played wholly under lights – was between the Kingaroy Red Ants and the Wondai Wolves.
Wondai, which had enjoyed a strong pre-season before stalling, started well with Danny Alberts scoring two tries before Kingaroy put their first points on the board.
At half-time, Wondai led 16-12 after a dogged tussle.
The arm-wrestle continued after the break, with a solitary try by the Wolves’ Josh Brown the only highlight for onlookers. The full-time score was Wondai 22, Kingaroy 12.
Wondai try scorers were Danny Alberts (2), Sonny Weazel and Josh Brown. Alex Georgetown kicked three goals.
For Kingaroy, Jack Hourn and Mason Trappe scored a try apiece. Harry Stirling kicked two goals.
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Kingaroy Red Ants will be turning pink on Saturday for their first home game of the 2022 South Burnett Rugby League season.
This Saturday is the “Pink Ants” annual fundraising day for cancer which means that as well as all-day league action – and plenty of pink balloons – there will be lots of other things happening at T.J. O’Neill Oval, including games and a big multi-draw raffle.
Prizes include a 2022 Gold Coast Titans team signed jersey, Red Ants’ Pink Day Supporters Jersey and a Maroons jersey signed by Johnathan Thurston.
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Last Week’s Results
Under 14s (SBRL)
- Nanango 28 def. Kingaroy 20 at Nanango
Nanango tries were scored by Levi Kurz, Lachlan Ralston, Lawson Black, Ryan Wallace and Lochlan Turner. Kaiden Weston kicked four goals.
Kingaroy try scorers were Jamie Searle, Ethan Bird, Brayden Watcho-Page and Kyle Josai. Lawson Braithwaite kicked two goals.
SB Eagles Women (WBF) at Bundaberg
- Under 14s – Tannum Sands 38 def. South Burnett 4.
South Burnett try scorer was Bella Barrett.
- Under 17s – South Burnett 20 def. Fraser Coast 12.
South Burnett tries were scored by Sandie Langton (3) and Aquilla Malone. Caitlin Tanner kicked two goals.
- Open – Bundaberg 18 def. South Burnett 8.
South Burnett try scorers were Alira Gyemore and Sarah Hebbel-Clarke.
SB Eagles Men (TJRL) at Gatton
- Under 15s – South Burnett 40 def. Gatton 12
- Under 16s – Gatton 48 def. South Burnett 0
- Under 17s – South Burnett 16 def. Gatton/Brothers 12
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This Week’s Games
At T.J. O’Neill Oval in Kingaroy:
- 11:20am – Under 14s – Kingaroy v Cherbourg
- 12:20pm – Under 16s – South Burnett Eagles v Toowoomba Brothers
- 1:30pm – Under 15s – South Burnett Eagles v Toowoomba Brothers
- 2:40pm – Under 13s/14s – Murgon v Dalby
- 3:40pm – A Grade – Wondai v Cherbourg
- 5:10pm – A Grade – Kingaroy v Murgon
At Bulldog Park, Chinchilla:
- 11:45am – Under 14s – Chinchilla v Nanango