February 13, 2024
The Winston Alberts Memorial team brought home the Sunshine Coast Bunyas Carnival trophy to Cherbourg on Sunday after a massive – if sometimes damp – weekend of rugby league at Nambour.
Hornets’ veteran Paddy Alberts led the team which was dedicated in memory of his late father, Winston.
The men were also playing in memory of Paddy’s wife, Rochelle, who died recently.
On Saturday, they downed Undambi Connections 30-6 and Sunshine Coast Bunyas Yellow 10-8.
At the end of the knockout stage of the carnival, the Cherbourg-based team was in fourth spot but made the most of their opportunities in the semi-final, defeating North Coast Cowboys 18-12 to earn a spot in the Grand Final.
They then took on last year’s champions, Coastal Blacks, in a well-contested game.
A strong defensive showing by the Winston Alberts Memorial team kept the Coastal team in check, with the final score 24-16.
Try scorers were Vinnie Law, Cyril Georgetown, Joven Gyemore, Jonathan Walsh and Daron Saltner-Bligh. Joven Gyemore kicked two conversions.
Vinnie Law was named Player of the Carnival.
Brad Beetson, from the Nambour Crushers Rugby League club which hosted the carnival, presented the trophy to Paddy Alberts just before the clouds burst, drowning the players as they posed for photographs.
[Photos courtesy of Yvonne Packbier, MMM Sports Photography]
- Related article: Paddy To Honour His Dad
