League Turns Pink For Cancer

A tribute to Kingaroy Red Ants fan and long-time volunteer Rosie Schmidt was placed on the clubroom’s bar

June 14, 2024

Last weekend was the Kingaroy Rugby League Club’s big “Pink Day” annual round, which raises funds for cancer research.

The first Pink Day was held after Lynda Geiger, wife of then-A Grade coach Darren and mother of player Adam, was diagnosed with cancer.

Sadly, Lynda died in November 2015 but the club has held a “Pink Day” and fundraiser in her memory every year since then.

There was added sadness this year following the recent death from cancer of another staunch club volunteer, Rosie Schmidt, mother of player Toby.

A tribute to Rosie was placed on the clubroom’s bar, and a minute’s silence was held before the start of Kingaroy’s A Grade game against Nanango.

Red Ants player Lachlan Price was awarded the annual Lynda Geiger Medal at the end of the match.

He was presented with the shield by Lynda’s mother, Gabrielle Burke, and Rosie’s husband, Darren Schmidt.

The Pink Day included a full round of junior games plus U14s and U17s matches and two A Grade games.

Funds raised at this year’s event will go to the McGrath Foundation.

South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff was in her finest pink on Pink Day … she’s pictured with Kingaroy skin cancer doctor Isabella Jonsson

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The Kingaroy Red Ants simply proved too strong for Nanango on Pink Day in Kingaroy

Kingaroy ended the Stags’ unbeaten streak in the 2024 competition with a 32-16 victory in their A Grade clash.

The Red Ants led 20-nil at half-time on their club’s big day at their home ground.

Nanango found new life after the break scoring three tries, although two while a Kingaroy player was in the sin bin.

Kingaroy tries were scored by Lachlan Price (2), Alex Pomfret (2), Connor Sullivan and Cory Neal. Harry Sterling kicked three conversions and Toby Schmidt kicked one.

Nanango try scorers were Lachlin Smith (2) and Aiden Cavanough. Thomas Springate kicked two goals.

Lachlan Price heads to the line to score his first of two tries for Kingaroy … Price was later presented with the Lynda Geiger Medal for his performance on the field

Connor Sullivan forces his way to the line to score for the Red Ants in the first half

Kingaroy’s Cory Neal leaps to avoid a tackle and get the ball down over the tryline

* * *

Michael Christensen shakes off two Murgon defenders late in the game to put Wondai within two points of the Mustangs

The first A Grade game was a see-sawing affair between Murgon and Wondai, which eventually gave the Mustangs their first win for the season.

Murgon opened the scoring but Wondai quickly hit back.

The lead swapped several times, but the Mustangs were ahead 16-12 at half-time.

Wondai took back the lead after the break with a try by Ethan Fisher, only to see Murgon retaliate three minutes later.

With 16 minutes left on the clock, the Wolves clawed back the gap to just two points, down 26-24.

Three minutes later, Wondai had another chance but were held up over the line.

Stafford Sandow put the result beyond doubt just minutes before full-time with a Murgon try, taking the full-time score to 30-24.

Murgon tries were scored by Sam Davis (2), Joshua Peterson (2), Bronson Aubrey and Stafford Sandow. Chris Bond kicked three goals.

Wondai try scorers were Royce Blair, Torren Anderton, Ethan Fisher and Michael Christensen. Torren Anderton kicked four goals.

Sam Davis scores the first of his two tries for the Mustangs

Ethan Fisher puts the Wolves back into the lead after the half-time break

Desperate Murgon defence stops Wondai from scoring with 13 minutes left … the try would have put the Wolves back in the lead

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Aggressive defence by the South Burnett forces a Souths’ player to lose the ball on the line just after the start of the Under 17s game

South Burnett Eagles notched up a strong win over Toowoomba Souths in their Under 17s game played at Kingaroy on Saturday.

The Eagles were ahead 36-12 at full-time after leading 22-6 at the break.

Souths put the first points on the board in the second half with a confidence-lifting run by Mitch Wilkes who stripped the ball and ran the length of the field to score.

However, the rest of the half belonged to the Eagles who put on three more tries.

South Burnett try scorers were: Harrison Braithwaite (2), Charlie Sippel, Thomas Larsen, Shamus Cobbo, Lawson Braithwaite and Rowan Gordon. Liam Irwin kicked three goals and Casey Jones kicked one.

Charlie Sippel scores in the corner for the Eagles … the first of three tries by the South Burnett side in the last 15 minutes

Eagles’ defence brought several scoring attempts by Toowomba Souths to a quick halt

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The Cherbourg Hornettes have missed out on a berth in this weekend’s Wide Bay Female Competition’s Women’s Open Grand Final after being crushed 32-14 by Fraser Coast at Maryborough in the Preliminary Final last Sunday.

Cherbourg tries were scored by Isobella Watcho, Erica Duncan and Ellen Mosby, and Mosby kicked one conversion.

Minor Premiers Wondai will now face the Fraser Coast Crushers from 3:00pm on Sunday in the Grand Final at Eskdale Park, Maryborough.

The SheWolves Grand Final team is: Summer Spence, Cassandra Rainbow, Lauren Coutts, Mkenzi Brazendale, Hailee Hearfield, Michelle Alberts, Elle Mollenhauer, Brittany Holding, Nickie Geysing, Taylah Hancock, Teleah Rainbow, Bailee Hall, Violet Black, Sarah Hebbel-Clarke, Ledina Bedford, Nakita Gray, Sophia Fisher, Nerada Bansgrove, Genevieve Rainbow, Traevonnah Fisher and Carla Rodde.