May 11, 2023
South Burnett Thrashers dominated their more-fancied rivals Goondiwindi in their first home game of the season, played last Saturday in Kingaroy.
Rugby union took over T.J. O’Neill Oval – the Kingaroy home of rugby league – for the clash.
The Goondiwindi Emus went into the game in second place on the ladder and unbeaten after four rounds.
But the Thrashers, playing before a good home crowd, were first to score.
After the ball was jolted loose in a heavy tackle, former PNG track and field Olympian Mowen Boino sprinted three-quarters the length of the field to score under the posts.
Nikoloa Petueli converted – the first of three goals he kicked on the day – to put the Thrashers ahead 7-0.
Three minutes later the Emus struck back, with the teams going into half-time locked 7-all.
The Thrashers controlled play in the second half, putting on six tries and keeping the Emus scoreless.
The final score was 41-7.
The B Grade game was followed by an A Grade game, played between Goondiwindi and University (see below).
“As a club we had a fantastic day hosting two games of rugby in the South Burnett,” club president Jamie Shirlaw said.
“The games were played in the right spirit and were a display of athleticism and good sportsmanship. The score line was the silver lining for us.
“In our game, Gundy’s defence was much better than the scoreline would suggest.
“In the first half we attacked their line with a large amount of possession, but we were only able to cross once.
“In the second half, we were able to make the most of our very physical ball runners such as Biss Waqatabu, Josaia Droka, Epa Turaganivalu and Elaijah Kocovanua. We were able to put on 34 unanswered points.
“We would like to thank everyone who came and supported us at home.
“It was also good to show off the product of our major sponsor SunPork Freshfood, with their gourmet snags and burgers being served at the barbecue.
“We are looking to capitalise on our momentum after playing the top teams in the competition for the first round of games.”
The South Burnett Thrashers will be back on the road this weekend, heading to Toowoomba to take on the Bears.
Their next home game in Kingaroy will be on June 24, which will also be the club’s Old Boys Day.
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Thrashers’ Tries
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Gallery Of Photos
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The South Burnett players gathered to sing a hymn after the game:
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A Grade
The South Burnett Thrashers’ B Grade Darling Downs game was followed by an A Grade Risdon Cup game between the Goondiwindi Emus and UniSQ.
The Emus romped away winners, 55-3, with nine tries to nil.
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