Hornets Fly Into Grand Final

Cherbourg’s Vincent Law tripped on his way to the line but was still able to fly over to take the score in the A Grade Preliminary Final to 8-0

August 31, 2023

The Cherbourg Hornets have earned the right to take on the 2023 Minor Premiers, Kingaroy Red Ants, in the A Grade Grand Final of the South Burnett Rugby League competition at T.J. O’Neill Oval on Saturday.

The Hornets booked the spot by downing the Murgon Mustangs 50-42 in a high-scoring Preliminary Final at Wondai Sportsground last Saturday.

The local derby between Cherbourg and Murgon is always fiercely contested, and with a Grand Final spot on the line, Saturday’s game was especially frenetic.

The scores were locked twice in the game, but at half-time Cherbourg led 28-16.

With 14 minutes to go, the Mustangs took the lead by two points (and it could have been more if the conversion attempt hadn’t hit the posts and bounced back into the field).

Murgon looked set to cross the line again within minutes, but lost the ball near the line.

The Hornets then sped home with two tries late in the game, despite being a player short due to an earlier send-off.

Cherbourg’s try scorers were Fred Cobbo (2), Alex Speedy, Vincent Law, Barry Tapau-Fewquandie, Lance Gadd, Cyril Georgetown, Elwyn Fewquandie and Preston Mosoy. Alex Speedy kicked seven conversions.

Murgon’s tries were scored by Josiah Alberts (4), Bronson Fogarty (2) and Lloyd Saltner (2). Daron Saltner-Bligh kicked three conversions and Chris Bond kicked two.

Alex Speedy opens the scoring for the Cherbourg Hornets in the Preliminary Final … he also kicked seven goals

Barry Tapau-Fewquandie puts Cherbourg back in the lead after the scores were locked at 16-all

Lloyd Saltner scores the first of his two tries for the Mustangs

Bronson Fogarty scores in the corner for Murgon midway through the second half

Josiah Alberts manages to get the ball down over the line for Murgon despite being dragged back by a Cherbourg player… Alberts scored four tries for the Mustangs in the Preliminary Final

Josiah Alberts briefly puts Murgon back into the lead with 14 minutes left on the clock

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U14s Preliminary Final

Robert Hardy-Thompson is congratulated by teammates after scoring Chinchilla’s last try of the match

Kingaroy’s season came to an end in the Under 14s Preliminary Final when they were defeated 22-10 by the Chinchilla Bulldogs.

Chinchilla led 10-0 at half-time after tries to Johannes Dickman and William Bannister.

Bannister opened the scoring for the Bulldogs in the second half, before Jaxon Branch crossed for the Red Ants’ first points with 12 minutes to go, taking the score to 16-4.

Robert Hardy-Thompson then scored again for Chinchilla, before Ethan Saal added a consolation try for Kingaroy just before full-time.

Cherbourg will now play Chinchilla in the Under 14s Grand Final at Kingaroy on Saturday afternoon.

Strong Kingaroy defence stopped many of Chinchilla’s attacking runs

No try …. this effort by Chinchilla at the start of the second half was ruled a double movement

William Bannister opens the scoring in the second half for the Bulldogs … Bannister scored two tries and kicked three conversions for Chinchilla

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South Burnett Eagles

At Toowoomba, South Burnett Eagles’ 2023 campaign in the Under 15s TJRL competition came to an end on Saturday, when they were defeated 24-12 by Toowoomba Souths in the Minor Semi-Final.

Eagles led 12-6 at half-time but the second half belonged to the home team.

South Burnett tries were scored by Will Webber and Zachary Harris. Lawson Braithwaite and Will Webber each kicked a conversion.

Souths try scorers were Liam Marshall (2), Flynn Anderson, William Paynter and Alex White. Frazer Trapp kicked two goals.

South Burnett also had a tough time in the Under 16s TJRL Major Semi-Final against Valleys Roosters on Saturday at Toowoomba.

Valleys downed the Minor Premiers 36-18.

South Burnett tries were scored by Harrison Braithwaite (2) and Shamus Cobbo. Tito Bligh (2) and Liam Irwin were the goal kickers.

The Eagles U16s have one more chance in the 2023 competition.

They will take on Toowoomba Souths at Oakey on Saturday afternoon to decide which team goes into the Grand Final.