August 29, 2024
The Kingaroy Red Ants overpowered the Chinchilla Bulldogs to take out the South Burnett Rugby League’s Under 14s Grand Final on Saturday.
The Under 14s game, played as a curtain-raiser to the A Grade Grand Final (see separate report), attracted a good crowd of both Kingaroy and Chinchilla supporters to Wondai Sportsground.
At half-time, the Red Ants – who had finished the season as Minor Premiers – were ahead 12-0 after tries to Levi Madigan and Jakob Strauf, both converted by Tyler Fuller-Sandys.
Kingaroy then opened the second half on a winning note, with a try to Robbie Ashcroft stretching the lead to 16-0.
The Bulldogs bit back five minutes later when Archie Holland scored, but the Red Ants weren’t finished yet … two more tries came in quick succession, to Jaxon Branch and Isaac Hauritz.
With less than a minute to go, Chinchilla’s Max Gray scored a consolation try to take the final score to Kingaroy 24, Chinchilla 12.
Kingaroy tries were scored by Robbie Ashcroft, Isaac Hauritz, Jakob Strauf, Jaxon Branch and Levi Madigan. Tyler Fuller-Sandys kicked two goals.
Chinchilla try scorers were Archie Holland and Max Gray. Carter Llewellyn and Jake Sorensen each kicked a goal.
After the match, the Best and Fairest award was presented to Chinchilla player Haydon Blond and the Man of the Match trophy to Kingaroy’s Jaxon Branch.
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Grand Final Photos
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Kingaroy Red Ants players celebrate after their Grand Final victory on Saturday!
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South Burnett Eagles
In Under 15s, Across The Waves defeated the South Burnett Eagles 16-12 in a close game at Bundaberg on Sunday.
The loss in the Minor Semi-Final means the Under 15s Eagles’ 2024 campaign is over, despite an impressive effort in reaching the finals.
The Under 16s Eagles also had no luck at Bundaberg on Sunday, going down 16-6 against Across The Waves in the Major Semi-Final.
The South Burnett try scorer was Damon Cooper and Lawson Braithwaite kicked the conversion.
However, the Under 16s Eagles get another chance. They will play in the Preliminary Final, scheduled for 9:00am on Saturday, September 7, in Bundaberg.
In the Toowoomba Under 17s competition, the South Burnett Eagles defeated Minor Premiers Valleys 28-4 at Toowoomba on Saturday.
The win has earned the U17s a spot in the Grand Final, scheduled for 6:00pm on September 7 in Toowoomba.
The two Eagles’ games being played more than 400km apart on September 7 means at least four South Burnett families who have players in both Eagles’ teams will be clocking up close to 800km travel on the day.
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Under 15s Girls
Seven South Burnett players were part of the Toowoomba Brothers U15s squad which defeated Oakey/Newtown 28-6 in the TJRL Girls Under 15s competition on Saturday.
Brothers will now take on Pittsworth at Pittsworth on Saturday in the Preliminary Final.
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Women’s RL
Bianca Holt, who played A Grade with the Wondai Wolves’ women’s team last year, will be turning out this Saturday with the Brisbane Natives in their SE Women’s Reserve Grade Grand Final clash against the Waterford Demons.
Natives earned the spot in the Grand Final after downing Minor Premiers Beaudesert Kingfishers 34-8 last weekend.
The game will be played from 1:00pm at Kougari Oval in Wynnum.
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Under 12s
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NRL Hall Of Fame
Cited as one of the finest centres of his era, Steve Renouf was recently inducted into the National Rugby League’s Hall of Fame.
Videos of Renouf scoring tries for the Maroons and Broncos were played to the audience at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony earlier this month in Sydney.
The former Murgon Mustang – best known locally as “Bucko” – played 183 Premiership games, 11 State of Origins, had 11 appearances with the Kangaroos and is a four-time Premiership winner.
Posting on social media later, Renouf said he was humbled by the recognition.
“I just want to acknowledge by mum and dad, Charlie and Nerida Renouf, my eight sisters and my three brothers; also my five beautiful children,” he wrote.
“Everything I’ve done has been for my family!”
Most recently, Renouf was the guest speaker at the South Burnett Relay For Life’s fundraising “Dinner With The Champions” at Kingaroy Town Hall.
[UPDATED]
