Amazing Mustangs Into Grand Final

Murgon players celebrate their incredible last-minute victory on Saturday afternoon

August 20, 2024

An amazing final six minutes by the Murgon Mustangs have knocked Minor Premiers Cherbourg out of the 2024 South Burnett Rugby League competition.

The sudden-death Preliminary Final, played at Nanango’s Fred Kassulke Oval on Saturday afternoon, means the Mustangs will now take on Nanango in this weekend’s Grand Final showdown at Wondai.

Cherbourg, which finished the regular season on top of the ladder, looked home and hosed against fourth placegetters Murgon … until those final few minutes.

At half-time, the Hornets were leading 14-4; and with less than 30 minutes to go were still ahead 26-4.

Then Sam Davis and Daniel Georgetown put on back-to-back tries for Murgon in the space of two minutes, and suddenly the scoreline looked more respectable for Mustangs’ supporters at 26-14.

But Cherbourg weren’t finished, fighting back almost immediately for a try to Rahcine Doyle, increasing the Hornets’ lead to 30-14.

But the Mustangs had new hope, having proved to themselves they could break through the Cherbourg defence.

Murgon supporters in the crowd were yelling themselves hoarse as first Christian Simpson, then Lloyd Langton and Josiah Alberts scored, levelling the score at 30-all.

Lloyd Langton lined up the crucial tie-breaking sideline kick with less than a minute to go.

When he slotted it between the posts, Murgon took the lead for the first time in the game 32-30 … just as the siren sounded.

The Mustangs’ last-minute win was even more incredible as it came just a week after their bruising encounter against last year’s Grand Final winners, the Kingaroy Red Ants, in the Minor Semi-Final.

Murgon try scorers: Josiah Alberts (2), Sam Davis, Daniel Georgetown, Christian Simpson and Lloyd Langton. Langton kicked four goals, including the critical conversion right on full-time.

Cherbourg try scorers: Jonathan Walsh (3), Barry Tapau-Fewquandie, Anthony Gray and Rahcine Doyle. Conversions were kicked by Daron Saltner-Bligh (2) and George Fisher.

Joshiah Alberts puts Murgon’s first points on the board in the Preliminary Final … and the only points the Mustangs scored in the first half

Barry Tapau-Fewquandie falls over the line backwards to score for the Hornets

With just 24 minutes left in the game, Cherbourg’s Anthony Gray strolls to the line to blow out the Hornets’ lead to 26-4

Rahcine Doyle shakes off three Murgon defenders to score for Cherbourg … with 12 minutes left, Cherbourg still led 30-14

Both sides had tries disallowed … this attempt by Murgon was early in the first half

Jonathan Walsh thought this would be his fourth try for the Hornets … but it was called back

Players and supporters from both Murgon and Cherbourg mingled in good spirits on the field at the end of a spectacular game of rugby league

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Under 14s

Trent Sellin scores for the Hornets to keep Cherbourg’s hopes alive in the U14s Preliminary Final

In the Under 14s Preliminary Final, also played at Nanango, the Chinchilla Bulldogs ended Cherbourg’s hopes with a 22-14 victory after leading 10-4 at half-time.

Shortly after the break, a try by Trent Sellin, converted by Marlon Cobbo, levelled the scores at 10-all.

After Chinchilla scored again, Cherbourg hit back, taking the Hornets to within two points after a try by Keenan-Lavelle Fisher.

But Tawhiao Tisdell ended Cherbourg’s hopes with a Bulldogs’ try just before full-time.

Chinchilla try scorers: Ethan Underwood, Tawhiao Tisdell, Keanu Harth and Riley Kerr. Jake Sorensen kicked three goals.

Cherbourg try scorers: Keenan-Lavelle Fisher, Marlon Cobbo and Trent Sellin. Marlon Cobbo kicked one conversion.

Keenan-Lavelle Fisher scored Cherbourg’s third try for the match late in the second half

Hornets’ players made some good breaks in the sudden-death U14s game …

… but couldn’t get away from the Chinchilla defence

Another promising attacking move by the Hornets, stymied by the Bulldogs

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Under 17s

The South Burnett Eagles are through to the Major Semi-Final in the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League’s Under 17s competition after a big win over Souths Tigers last Saturday in Toowoomba.

The Eagles, who finished second on the ladder, scored seven tries in their 36-18 victory at Gold Park.

They will now take on Minor Premiers Valleys Roosters in the Major Semi-Final to be played at the John McDonald Sports Complex in Toowoomba on Saturday.

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Under 15s & Under 16s

The South Burnett Eagles Under 15s and Under 16s teams – in the Bundaberg JRL competition – have also earned spots in Semi-Finals to be played this weekend.

Both teams will be playing sides from the Across The Waves club on Sunday.

The Under 15s will be in action at 11:00am, while the Under 16s will take to the field at 12:30pm.

Both games will be played at Salter Oval in Bundaberg.