{"id":375364,"date":"2026-08-28T22:52:55","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T12:52:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=375364"},"modified":"2026-08-28T22:54:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T12:54:19","slug":"kingaroy-locks-in-grand-final-spot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2026\/08\/28\/kingaroy-locks-in-grand-final-spot\/","title":{"rendered":"Kingaroy Locks In Grand Final Spot"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kingaroy and Blackbutt wrestled in the Major Semi-Final last weekend with the Red Ants emerging victorious<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

August 28, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kingaroy Red Ants booked the first spot in the 2026 South Burnett Rugby League Grand Final after a gutsy 20-12 victory at home over the Blackbutt-Yarraman Timbertowners in the Major Semi-Final last Saturday.<\/p>\n

But the Timbertowners, who only rejoined the A Grade competition this year, still have one life left … they will be taking on the Murgon Mustangs this Saturday at Murgon to decide the second Grand Final spot (see game times, below).<\/p>\n

The clash between the top two teams on the ladder at T.J. O’Neill Oval was a grind for the first 30 minutes, before Toby Schmidt finally broke through to put Kingaroy’s first points on the board.<\/p>\n

His try was converted by Marcus Jensen, who kicked three from three on the day.<\/p>\n

The armwrestle then continued until the last five minutes of the first half when both teams managed to score.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cory Neal grounded the ball in the corner for the Red Ants, followed just minutes later by Luke Pollock adding the first points to Blackbutt’s scorecard.<\/p>\n

Daemon Cruise converted the Pollock try and at half-time, Kingaroy led 12-6.<\/p>\n

The second half began with a try to Kingaroy’s Uale Peneli but with Kingaroy ahead 18-6, there was a long stoppage when a Blackbutt player was injured and an ambulance had to be called to the ground.<\/p>\n

When play resumed, Sean Hams stormed to the line for the Timbertowners, narrowing the gap to 18-12.<\/p>\n

Blackbutt pressed Kingaroy hard during the last 15 minutes but the game was put beyond their reach when Marcus Jensen kicked a penalty goal in the last two minutes.<\/p>\n

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Roby Schmidt scores in the corner to put the Red Ants’ first try on the board<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Cory Neal grounds Kingaroy’s second try … Marcus Jensen’s conversion took the score to 12-0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Sean Hams charges towards the line to score for Blackbutt in the second half … the Timbertowners pressed hard for the next 15 minutes but couldn’t score again<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Minor Semi-Final<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Nicholas Urban raised the hopes of Wondai supporters with his try at the mid-point of the second half<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Earlier, the Murgon Mustangs ended the Wondai Wolves’ 2026 campaign by downing them 36-22 in the Minor Semi-Final.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Wolves put the first points on the board via quick try to Josh Scott, converted by Torren Anderton.<\/p>\n

But the Mustangs then dominated play, with five back-to-back tries, including two by Will Webber.<\/p>\n

Murgon’s other first half tries were racked up by Rowan Gordon, Nathan Roderick and Jake Sippel with Roderick kicking two conversions.<\/p>\n

Albert Dynevor gave Wondai supporters some hope eight minutes before the half-time break, narrowing Murgon’s lead to 24-12.<\/p>\n

Murgon began the second half in style with some rapid passing and then an across-field kick which put Liam Irwin across the line.<\/p>\n

Wondai’s next points came almost 20 minutes later with a try by Nicholas Urban.<\/p>\n

The Wolves, helped by Murgon giving away penalties, then began to dominate possession, however, they failed to capitalise on a Murgon player being sent to the bin.<\/p>\n

The Mustangs scored in the last 10 minutes when Lachlan Zelinski dived under the posts<\/p>\n

Wondai’s Josh Scott then scored a late consolation try, converted by Nicholas Urban, but the Wolves’ season was over.<\/p>\n

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Wondai’s defenders tested Murgon but the Mustangs were too strong in the end<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A Wondai player is held up over the line late in the game thanks to strong Murgon defence<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Under 14s<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

In Under 14s, minor premiers Murgon Mustangs earned a Grand Final spot by downing Nanango Stags in the Major Semi-Final played at Kingaroy on Saturday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nanango will now play the Kingaroy Red Ants this weekend for the second berth.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This Weekend’s Games<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Two Under 12s pre-match games will be played before the sudden-death Preliminary Finals at Murgon Sportsground:<\/strong><\/p>\n