(Photo: Vock Collection)
April 19, 2025
The memory of a Cherbourg rugby league legend was honoured in style at the recent Frank Fisher Memorial Cup rugby league game against Queensland Police.
The Frank Fisher Invitational team – which included several descendants of Cherbourg’s most famous footballer – downed the QPS side by 36-28 under lights at Jack O’Chin Oval on April 5.
The game was the culmination of a big day of rugby league at Cherbourg which included two U14s games, two A Grade games and a friendly match between a Wide Bay Bulls women’s side and QPS women (see below).
There was a lot of culture and pride on display, with a performance by the Wakka Gubbi Dancers and a smoking ceremony ahead of the Frank Fisher Cup kick-off.
The hand-picked squad of Frank Fisher players included many who had turned out earlier in the day to play for their regular South Burnett teams in Round 1 of the local competition, emphasising the strength of their win and against the much-fresher QPS side.
Frank Fisher Invitational try scorers were George Fisher Jnr (2), Keith Gadd Jnr (2), Anthony Gray, Tarell Indich and Barry Tapau-Fewquandie. George Fisher (3) and Tapau-Fewquandie (1) kicked the conversions.
The Players of the Match were George Fisher Jnr (Invitational team) and Justin Smith (QPS).
They were presented with unique hand-carved trophies made by Shane Christensen.
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Game action:
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Frank Fisher Cup – Women’s Game
The Queensland Police Women’s side put on an arresting performance to defeat the a combined Bundaberg / Wide Bay Bulls Indigenous women’s team 44-0 at Cherbourg as part of the Frank Fisher Cup Day event.
At half-time, the QPS team led 10-0 but zoomed away in the second half to prove their dominance.
The game was played in a good spirits but the police officers were just too strong in the second half.
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Game action:
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Frank Fisher Cup – Pre-Game
A smoking ceremony, a minute’s silence and traditional dances preceded the Frank Fisher Memorial Cup game.
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A Grade
Two Round 1 South Burnett Rugby League A Grade matches were played at Cherbourg on Frank Fisher Memorial Cup Day.
In the first, the Wondai Wolves defeated the Kingaroy Red Ants 28-18 after leading 22-6 at half-time.
Wondai tries were scored by Siolame Fituafe, Matthew Springate, Nicholas Urban, Harry Perrett and Micheal Kenafacke. Torren Anderton kicked four goals.
Kingaroy try scorers were Josh Stevenson, Andre Woltmann and Fautua Peti. Chris Bond kicked three conversions.
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The second game, the local derby between the home team, Cherbourg Hornets, and the Murgon Mustangs ended in a 32-all draw after Cherbourg led 18-16 at half-time.
Cherbourg tries were scored by Steven Walsh (2), Noel Walsh (2), Rahcine Doyle and Keith Gadd Jr.
Barry Tapau-Fewquandie kicked three of the four successful conversions.
Murgon try scorers were Charlie Sippel (2), Cohen Beggs, Tarell Indich, Tre Stanley and Tito Bligh. Jayden Tewes-Smallwood kicked four conversions.
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Under 14s
Two Under 14s games were played during Round 1 at Cherbourg.
In the first game, Murgon defeated Kingaroy 28-22 after Kingaroy led 22-0 at half-time.
Murgon try scorers were Ton Gyemore (3), Rhys Gscheidle and Tre’maine Henry-Chapman. Gyemore kicked four goals.
Kingaroy try scorers were Dante Skipper, Cooper Kruse, Locklan Gale and Hemi McDonald. Mason Fuller-Sandys (2) and Hudson Murphy were the goal kickers.
In the second game, the Nanango Stags demolished Cherbourg Hornets 48-4.
Nanango try scorers were Hudson Demnar (4), Richard Cunningham (2), Declan Turner (2), Cohen Webb, Lachy Ennis and Harry George. Mac Smith kicked two goals.
Lockyer Sandow scored Cherbourg’s only try.
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Under 19s
History was made on Sunday, April 6, at Toowoomba when the first-ever South Burnett Eagles U19s team took to the field in the Toowoomba Junior Rugby league competition.
The Eagles defeated the Souths Tigers 18-16 in a nailbiter after South Burnett led 6-4 at half-time.
South Burnett tries were scored by Harrison Braithwaite (2) and Liam Irwin. Irwin kicked three conversions.
In Round 2, played at Oakey on April 12, the Eagles came up against Wattles Warriors.
This time the Eagles went down 36-22 in a grinding display.
South Burnett try scorers included Mathaniel Cuthbertson, Casey Jones and William Esen. Liam Irwin kicked three conversions.
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SBRL Round 2 (April 12)
A GRADE
- Cherbourg Hornets def. Kingaroy Red Ants 52-12 at Wondai Sportsground
Cherbourg try scorers were Jonathan Walsh (3), Noel Walsh (2), Steven Walsh (2), Rahcine Doyle (2) and Keith Gadd Jr. George Fisher kicked six conversions.
Kingaroy try scorers were Joshua Peterson (2). Christopher Bond kicked two conversions.
- Wondai Wolves def. Murgon Mustangs 26-16 at Wondai Sportsground
Wondai try scorers were Harry Perrett (2), Cory Ward, Tom McDowell and Damien Alphonse. Torren Anderton kicked three conversions.
Murgon try scorers were Jameel Sullivan, Matthew Kunde and Tarell Indich. Jayden Tewes-Smallwood kicked two conversions.
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Next Weekend’s Games
FRIDAY (April 25)
At Toowoomba
- U19s – South Burnett Eagles v Pittsworth
SATURDAY (April 26)
Queensland Maroons Fan Day Footy Fest At Kingaroy
- Noon – U14s – Cherbourg v Kingaroy
- 2:30pm – A Grade – Cherbourg v Wondai
- 4:00pm – A Grade – Kingaroy v Murgon
Round 1 games from U6s through to U12s will also be played at T.J. O’Neill Oval in Kingaroy. As well, members of the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons women’s team will be in attendance from about noon.
There’ll be an opportunity to meet the players from the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons (these are the best female rugby league players in the State!) from noon to 2:00pm.
At Chinchilla
- U14s – Chinchilla v Murgon
At Warwick
- U15s – South Burnett Eagles v Warwick Collegians
- U17s – South Burnett Eagles v Warwick Collegians
At Highfields
- U16s – South Burnett Eagles v Highfields
At Toowoomba
- U15/16sB – South Burnett Eagles v Newtown
[Footnote: SBO apologises for the delay in getting this report published]
