June 10, 2022
The big rugby league story this week, of course, was the sensational win by Queensland over NSW on Wednesday night … and Selwyn Cobbo’s stunning debut for the Maroons.
But there was a big day of rugby league in the South Burnett, too, with the Kingaroy Red Ants hosting their annual “Pink Day” last Saturday to raise funds for breast cancer.
There were raffles and other fundraising activities at T.J. O’Neill Oval, with a generous donation of $300 from the Nanango Stags also boosting the coffers.
The day featured a full round of junior games, two Toowoomba competition games, a scratch game for U13s/14s players topped off by two A Grade fixtures in the evening.
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The first of these A Grade games was one of the best – and closest – senior games played in the South Burnett so far this season.
The clash between the Cherbourg Hornets and the Wondai Wolves ended with a tight 34-32 victory to Cherbourg after Wondai had a handy 28-10 lead at half-time.
Wondai was on the attack as the final siren sounded, and if the game had been just a few minutes longer the result could well have gone the other way.
The Wolves dominated the first half, scoring four tries back-to-back in less than 15 minutes.
But Cherbourg came out strongly after the break with two quick tries before a long stoppage in play occurred while an ambulance attended the grounds.
The Hornets went on the attack again as soon as play resumed with Fred Bell scoring in the corner. Lloyd Langton’s conversion levelled the scores at 28-all.
But Wondai wasn’t finished, hitting back and taking the lead 32-28 with 18 minutes to go.
Cherbourg fans roared when veteran Patrick Alberts evened the score again with seven minutes on the clock. Langton’s kick this time put the Hornets ahead.
Wondai immediately went back on the attack, only losing momentum slightly when a player was binned with three minutes left.
As full-time inched closer, the Wolves almost went over in the corner, but it was not to be with just two points separating the teams at full-time.
Cherbourg tries were scored by Lance Gadd (2), Patrick Alberts (2), Lloyd Langton and Fred Bell. Langton kicked five conversions.
Wondai try scorers were Joshua Brown, Keith Gadd Jr, Jack McDowell, Daniel Alberts, Marty Holding and Corey Ward. Alex Georgetown kicked four goals.
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In the second A Grade game, the Murgon Mustangs proved too strong for the Kingaroy “Pink Ants” despite strong support from the home crowd.
Murgon 44 defeated Kingaroy 26 in the game played wholly under lights.
The game began with a minute’s silence to remember friends and family members lost to cancer.
But Murgon went on attack as soon as the game started, with Daron Saltner-Bligh scoring a try within the first 60 seconds.
Murgon tries were scored by Daron Saltner-Bligh (2), Glen Fisher (2), Barwoo Fisher, Ezekiel Stanley, Jameel Sullivan and John Walsh. Glen Fisher kicked four goals and John Walsh two.
Kingaroy try scorers were Harry Sterling, Adam Nightingale, Connor Sullivan, Corey Cross and Travis Bice. Sterling kicked two goals and Mason Trappe one.
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Last Weekend’s Results
In Kingaroy:
- Under 13s/14s
An invitational game was played between Dalby Devils and Murgon Mustangs, with Murgon running out winners 56-6.
- Under 14s (SBRL)
Kingaroy 32 def. Cherbourg 22
Kingaroy tries were scored by Braydon Watcho-Page (3), Lawson Braithwaite, Ethan Saal and Kallen Hazel. Lawson Braithwaite kicked four goals.
Cherbourg try scorers were Shontane Cobbo, Kenny Georgetown, Jardine Davidson, Chad King and Kobe Saltner. Kobe Saltner kicked a goal.
- Under 15s (TJRL)
Toowoomba Brothers 16 def. South Burnett Eagles 12
Brothers’ tries were scored by Cameron Quade, Carl Eustace, Timm Cotterell and Jack Dwyer.
South Burnett try scorers were Rory Crumpton, Sebastian King and Tito Bligh.
- Under 16s (TJRL)
Toowoomba Brothers 36 def. South Burnett Eagles 10
Brothers tries were scored by Patrick Muir (3), Bodhi Sharpley (2), Samuel Sheppard and Ashton Wilson. Samuel Sheppard kicked four goals.
South Burnett try scorers were Matty Cuthbertson (2) and Riley Edwards kicked one goal.
In Chinchilla:
- Under 14s – Nanango 26 def. Chinchilla 16
At Gayndah (WBF) :
- Open
South Burnett Eagles Open 40 def. Fraser Coast Crushers 10
South Burnett try scorers were Abbey Templeman (2), Holly Patton (2), Sophia Fisher (2) and Teilha Keehn (2). Michelle Alberts kicked four conversions.
- Under 14s
Bundaberg forfeited against South Burnett Eagles
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Six South Burnett Eagles have been selected for the Wide Bay Bulls Under 17s women’s training squad:
Samantha Cobbo
Ashleigh Day
Sadie Langton
Aquilla Malone
Abbey Renouf-Dowdle
Violet Whitby
A final playing squad of 19 will be selected ahead of the Regional Carnival which will be played in Toowoomba on July 1-2.
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This Weekend’s Games
At Jack O’Chin Oval in Cherbourg (SBRL):
- 2:45pm – Under 14s – Murgon v Cherbourg
- 3:45pm – Under 14s – Kingaroy v Chinchilla
- 4:45pm – A Grade – Wondai v Nanango
- 6:00pm – A Grade – Cherbourg v Kingaroy
In Bundaberg (WBF):
- Under 14s – South Burnett Eagles v Fraser Coast Crushers
- Open – South Burnett Eagles v Fraser Coast Crushers (Sunday)
In Toowoomba (TJRL):
- Under 15s – South Burnett Eagles v Souths Tigers
- Under 16s – South Burnett Eagles v Souths Tigers
In Dalby – Sunday (TJRL):
- Under 17s – South Burnett Eagles v Dalby Devils
I can’t understand why game two will be in Perth. Does the NRL wish to stir up interest over in WA in the hope that a WA team might be created? I thought such an attempt was made years ago and it failed.
In any case, it’s a bit much to expect QLD/NSW fans to fly to WA just to watch a game, especially in these economically hard times.