May 10, 2024
Nanango Stags delighted their home crowd on Saturday with a 30-12 win over last year’s premiers Kingaroy in Round 2 of the South Burnett Rugby League A Grade competition.
At half-time, the Stags led 24-0 in dreary conditions under lights at Fred Kassulke Oval, cheered on by hardy supporters on the clubhouse verandah and at the bar.
Handling by both sides was fairly ordinary with a slippery ball, with Kingaroy, in particular, squandering some scoring chances in the first half.
About 15 minutes from half-time, a Red Ants player was held up over the line, but the restart went awry with another dropped ball allowing Thomas Springate to pick it up, evade some tacklers and run the length of the field to score under the posts.
The Red Ants rallied in the second half to put on two late tries but it wasn’t enough to stop Nanango from recording back-to-back wins in their comeback year.
Nanango try scorers were Joseph Smith (2), Aidan Cavanough, Drew Jackson and Thomas Springate. Jayden Tewes-Smallwood kicked the five conversions.
Kingaroy try scorers were Connor Sullivan and Alex Pomfret. Alexander Dunemann kicked two goals.
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Earlier in the day, the Murgon Mustangs ran out on the paddock for their first game of 2024.
The Mustangs enjoyed a bye in Round 1, but there was no fairytale start of the season for them on Saturday afternoon at Nanango, despite putting the first points on the board.
Christian Simpson scored just minutes after the whistle blew; Preston Alberts converted and Murgon was in the lead 6-0.
But Wondai hit straight back with a try by Conan Holding and stayed ahead for the rest of the game.
Smarting from their loss last week to Kingaroy, the Wolves proved too strong, downing Murgon 30-14 after leading 16-10 at half-time.
Lack of discipline also hit the Mustangs, with one player binned in the first half and another sent off at the deathknell.
Wondai try scorers were Conan Holding, Jake Wilson, Torren Anderton, Ethan Fisher and Joshua Brown. Torren Anderton kicked four conversions and one penalty goal.
Murgon tries were scored by Kaleel Bond (2) and Christian Simpson. Preston Alberts kicked one conversion.
All South Burnett A Grade teams have a bye this weekend.
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The annual Frank Fisher Cup between an Invitational team and Queensland Police was played in Mitchell on Saturday.
Cherbourg Hornets’ players George Fisher, Fred Cobbo, Vincent Law, Barry Fewquandie, Paddy Alberts, Anthony Gray, Norman Wragge, Lance Gadd and John Blair were selected for the Invitational team which defeated QPS 29-28 in a tight game.
Traevonnah Fisher and Violet Black were selected in the Central Crows women’s team which defeated QPS 60-6.
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Other Results
Friday at Nanango
- Under 14s – Kingaroy 26 def. Murgon 0
- Under 14s – Nanango 36 def. Wondai 0
Saturday at Chinchilla
- Under 14s – Cherbourg 24 def. Chinchilla 18
Saturday at Dalby
- Under 17s – South Burnett Eagles 34 def. Dalby Devils 22 (TJRL)
Sunday at Maryborough
- Under 17s Girls – Cherbourg 32 def. Fraser Coast 12 (WBFC)
- Open Women – Wondai 18 def. Cherbourg 8 at Maryborough (WBFC)
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This Weekend’s Games
U6s to U12s junior games are being played on Saturday at Blackbutt.
Friday at Wondai
- 5:30pm – Under 14s – Wondai v Cherbourg
- 6:30pm – Under 14s – Murgon v Nanango
- 7:30pm – Open Women – Wondai v Fraser Coast (WBFC)
Saturday at Kingaroy
- 1:00pm – Under 15s – South Burnett Eagles v Hervey Bay Seagulls (BJRL)
- 2:15pm – Under 16s – South Burnett Eagles v Hervey Bay Seagulls (BJRL)
- 3:30pm – Under 17s – South Burnett Eagles v Gatton Hawks (TJRL)
Saturday at Chinchilla
- Under 14s – Chinchilla v Kingaroy
NB. No South Burnett A Grade games will be played this weekend.
