June 7, 2024
Murgon enjoyed a second-half comeback in their A Grade rugby league game played in wintry conditions at Cherbourg last Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to lock in their first win for the season.
At half-time, the Nanango Stags led Murgon 14-0 but the Mustangs rallied and put on three converted tries after the break.
Nanango was ahead 22-18 when the final siren sounded, maintaining their unbeaten record so far in the 2024 competition.
Nanango try scorers were Lachlin Smith (3), Blake Shirley and Patrick Gentry. Smith kicked one goal.
Murgon tries were scored by Christian Simpson (2) and Lloyd Langton. Langton three from three conversions.
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The second A Grade game last Saturday was a match-up between the home team Cherbourg and the Kingaroy Red Ants.
The Hornets were simply too strong after an emotional week for the Kingaroy club, piling on nine tries to two and taking the final score to 50-10.
Cherbourg try scorers were Rahcine Doyle (3), George Fisher (2), Jonathan Walsh (2), Lance Gadd and Vincent Law. Daron Saltner-Bligh kicked six conversions and Anthony Gray kicked one.
Kingaroy try scorers included Adam Nightingale. Lachlan Price kicked one conversion.
At the end of the game – and at the behest of Hornets’ player Anthony Gray – Kingaroy and Cherbourg players gathered in a circle to pay their respects to Rosie Schmidt, whose family has been stalwarts of the Kingaroy Red Ants club for many years, and whose son Toby is currently playing in the A Grade side.
Rosie tragically died from cancer earlier in the week.
On Friday afternoon (June 7), Red Ants’ players formed a guard of honour at her funeral, which filled Kingaroy Town Hall to overflowing.
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There was controversy in the Women’s Open game between Cherbourg and Wondai which was played at Bundaberg last Sunday.
The game was called off when Cherbourg was ahead 16-4.
Unfortunately, a shortage of accredited Hornets’ officials on the sidelines – a requirement for every game – meant Cherbourg forfeited the match on a technicality, making the official scoreline 30-0 in Wondai’s favour.
The win would have secured a home preliminary final for Cherbourg this week, but the Hornettes still have a chance at a berth in the Grand Final, taking on the Fraser Coast Crushers in Maryborough on Sunday.
Wondai, who secured their spot as Minor Premiers in the previous round, will play the winners of Sunday’s game in the Grand Final on June 16.
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Other Results
- Under 14s – Kingaroy 38 def. Murgon 10 at Cherbourg
- Under 14s – Cherbourg 38 def. Nanango 10 at Cherbourg
- Under 14s – Chinchilla 34 def. Wondai 26 at Chinchilla
- Under 15s – South Burnett Eagles 24 def. Maryborough Brothers 18 at Bundaberg
South Burnett tries were scored by Trent Sellin, Tyson Saunders, Coby Murnane, Zac Borninkhof and Coby Murnane. Patterson Braithwaite and Coby Murnane kicked a goal apiece.
- Under 16s – South Burnett Eagles 52 def. Maryborough Brothers 0 at Bundaberg
South Burnett tries were scored by Will Webber (4), Montrehl Tewes-Smallwood (2), Jacob Rattey (2), Zachary Harris and William Smith. Goals were kicked by Lawson Braithwaite (5) and William Smith.
- Under 17s – Valleys Roosters 50 def. South Burnett Eagles 0 at Toowoomba
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This Weekend’s Games
Saturday is the Kingaroy Red Ant’s big “Pink Day” fundraiser for cancer. Supporters are urged to dress in pink and enjoy all the “Pink Ants” action .
FRIDAY
At Kingaroy
- 5:30pm – Under 14s – Murgon v Wondai
- 6:30pm – Under 14s – Kingaroy v Nanango
SATURDAY
At Kingaroy
Junior games for Under 6s through to Under 12s from 8:00am.
- 12:10pm – Under 14s – Cherbourg v Chinchilla
- 1:10pm – Under 17s – South Burnett Eagles v Toowoomba Souths (TJRL)
- 2:20pm – A Grade – Murgon Mustangs v Wondai Wolves
- 4:00pm – A Grade – Kingaroy Red Ants v Nanango Stags
South Burnett Eagles Under 15s and Under 16s have a bye.
SUNDAY
At Maryborough
- Open Women – Cherbourg v Fraser Coast Crushers (WBFC)
