September 5, 2025
The South Burnett Rugby League’s A Grade Final between the Kingaroy Red Ants and this year’s Minor Premiers Cherbourg was always going to be a tough encounter.
The sides last met in a Grand Final in 2023 with the Red Ants eventually running away winners.
They were evenly matched again on Saturday, with the half-time score at Cherbourg’s Jack O’Chin Oval locked at 16-all.
Fortunately, the wind which had whipped the field during the earlier Under 14s Grand Final (see separate report) had eased a little by the time the A Grade match kicked off.
The Red Ants were quick off the mark, with Andre Woltmann scoring under the posts in the first four minutes. Chris Bond’s conversion was good, giving Kingaroy an early 6-0 lead.
However, Kingaroy gave away a penalty a few minutes later allowing Cherbourg to gain valuable ground and go on the attack.
Mason Watson took advantage with a run down the sideline. George Fisher’s conversion evened the score.
Just three minutes later, and after some enthusiastic passing, the Hornets were in again, this time on the other side of the field via Clayton Gadd, taking the score to 10-6.
The Red Ants struck back midway through the half when Aidan Cavanough scored in the corner, bringing the score back to 10-all.
But Cherbourg got their chance three minutes later when they caught a Red Ant player in goal.
Two goal-line dropouts later, the Kingaroy defence couldn’t keep a rampaging Anthony Gray from scoring under the posts. Fisher’s conversion was good, and the Hornets were back in the lead 16-10.
With 10 minutes left in the half, Cherbourg looked to be in again but it was ruled no try.
Two minutes before the siren blew, Blake Augustine was successful for Kingaroy and Bond’s conversion ensured the scores were 16-all at half-time.
Kingaroy immediately went on the attack again after the break, crossing the line only to be called back.
After holding out Cherbourg at the other end, Kingaroy earned a break getting back-to-back sets, a scrum win and a knock-back ruling which led to a try by Tiai Tuiloma. The conversion by Bond was good and the Red Ants were ahead 22-16.
The arm wrestle continued until the last 30 minutes when Cherbourg scored three times in eight minutes, with tries to Keith Gadd Jnr, George Fisher and Tyreese Gyemore allowing the Hornets to retake the lead, 32-22.
A penalty to Kingaroy with 11 minutes left on the clock gave the Red Ants back possession and ground, leading to a try by Alex Pomfret. Bond’s conversion narrowed the Hornets’ lead to just four points and it looked to be anyone’s game.
But when a Kingaroy player resented a tackle and was sent off with eight minutes to go, the odds definitely shortened in favour of the home team.
A Cherbourg scrum win in the last three minutes led to Tyreese Gyemore’s second try for the afternoon; Fisher’s conversion fixed the final score at 38-28 and a Hornets’ victory.
Cherbourg tries were scored by Tyreese Gyemore (2), Mason Watson, Clayton Gadd, Anthony Gray, Keith Gadd Jnr and George Fisher. Fisher kicked five conversions.
Kingaroy try scorers were Andre Woltmann, Aidan Cavanough, Blake Augustine, Tiai Tuiloma and Alex Pomfret. Chris Bond kicked four conversions.
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Presentations
Presentations were made after the Grand Final by South Burnett Rugby League president Greg Pomfret and vice-president Scott Prendergast.
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Other Results
Cherbourg Rugby League Club had another team contesting a Grand Final last Saturday.
The Cherbourg Hornettes took on Minor Premiers Across The Waves in the Grand Final of the Bundaberg JRL’s Open Women’s competition at Salter Oval in Bundaberg.
The Hornettes tested Across The Waves but were defeated 42-14.
Cherbourg try scorers were Kaylynn Saltner, Heather Sandow and Ellen Mosby. Mosby kicked one conversion.
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At Diamond Oval at Glenvale (Toowoomba), several South Burnett Eagles sides were contesting Semi-Finals:
- Under 13 Girls – South Burnett Eagles def. Valleys 20-4 in the Major Semi-Final
- Under 15 Girls – Chinchilla def. South Burnett Eagles 28-22 in the Major Semi-Final
- Under 15 Boys – Dalby def. South Burnett Eagles 24-22 in the Major Semi-Final
- Under 17 Girls – Highfields def. South Burnett / Brothers 20-12 – Minor Semi-Final
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This Week’s Games
At Gold Park, Toowoomba:
- Under 15 Girls – South Burnett Eagles v Highfields – Preliminary Final
- Under 15 Boys – South Burnett Eagles v Wattles Warriors – Preliminary Final
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A Grade Grand Final Gallery
