August 9, 2022
South Burnett Thrashers will be taking the longer path towards the Darling Downs Rugby Union grand final despite a thumping 41-5 victory over Goondiwindi on Saturday.
Thrashers travelled to Toowoomba to take on Goondiwindi at USQ in the last round of the regular season.
“This was an important game for us as it was still possible to end in second place on the ladder if things fell into place,” club president Jamie Shirlaw said.
“We needed to beat Goondiwindi and have Dalby beat the Toowoomba Rangers. That would have pushed us into second place.
“After a few weeks of slow starts to our games it was important that we started strong.
“That is exactly what happened. In the first minute of the game Sata Tale went over for a try under the goal posts.
“The team was able to keep the pressure on, keeping Goondiwindi scoreless in the first half. The first half score was 19 nil to us.
“The solid attacking play from the forwards gave the backs plenty of space to attack out wide with four more tries in the second half.
“Tale scored two tries and Marcus Jensen followed up with three of his own and set up a try for Jason Lee, our captain, to score a try under the post towards the end of the second half.
“The final score was 41 to 5.
“We had done all we could to secure the number two spot on the ladder. We then had to wait for the other scores to come in.
“Unfortunately Rangers beat Dalby 43 to 12 knocking us back into third spot.
“This means we now play Roma this weekend in the minor semi-final at Gold Park in Toowoomba.
“The winner of that game will go on to play the loser of the major semi for a chance to place in the Grand Final.”
The semi-final is scheduled to start at 11:30am on Saturday.
[UPDATED with correction]
