Nanango Goes Back-To-Back

Held up over the line … but Kingaroy’s woes grew worse minutes later when Tom Springate pounced on a loose ball and ran the length of the field to score for Nanango

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.

Another Kingaroy chance goes begging in the first half … both sides had trouble holding on to the ball

The clubhouse was the place to be on a dreary night after a day of rain at Nanango

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Joshua Brown celebrates after scoring for the Wondai Wolves with 12 minutes to go

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.

Christian Simpson puts Murgon’s first points on the board for 2024

Kaleel Bond scores the first of his two tries for the Murgon Mustangs

Ethan Fisher scores for the Wolves at the start of the second half

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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.