In round 7 of the Wagners Risdon Cup the Dalby Wheatmen travelled out to the Fish Tank at Condamine, where the Cods were looking to cause an upset over the undefeated competition leaders but the Wheatmen were all class and showed why they are out in front after round 7. The game proved to be a physical encounter where both sides looked to be up for the challenge. Dalby were too smart and played to their strengths with their powerful forwards scoring four out of the five tries for Dalby. Cods hooker Sam Warby put in a solid performance for his side and looked to be relishing in the physical battle but it was Dalby’s skipper Sam Hogarth who scored a double and got side the win in Condamine 37-5.
Highfields hosted USQ in round 7 and wasn’t it a game that caught everyone off guard. Highfields had a point to prove this week after a 94-0 thrashing the week before and that they did, coming out of the blocks fast the Redbacks looked to be in complete control over the USQ Saints leading 15-5 at half time the side was looking to make history. Word quickly got out around the Downs and Highfields had a number of supporters as they were desperate to finish the job and get the first A grade win ever. USQ showed their class and composure as they remained patient, with the bench players proving to be the difference providing crucial impact of the bench. USQ walked away with a 29-22 victory over Highfields, the Redbacks picked up a bonus point for their loss, which is their first ever competition point in A grade.
The Roma Echidnas made the trek down to Goondiwindi to take on the mighty Emus. Goondiwindi continued their winning streak also remaining undefeated after round 7, the side was just too classy for the Echidnas running 15 tries and 10 conversions with Will Gilbert, Tom Jobling, Harry Hawker, Sean Cairns and Lachlan Waide all scoring doubles made it a long road trip home for the Echidnas after going down 95-0 at Riddles Oval.
Rangers hosted Gatton late in the afternoon at Gold Park, and it was the Rangers who came out firing getting the ball back from their own kick off and soon after finding the line through captain Fraser Donaldson. The Blackpigs hit back almost immediately through centre Todd Daniels. Rangers then controlled the match very well and got out to a comfortable lead before Gatton fought back quickly in the second half narrowing the lead to 26-21. It was Rangers flanker Matt Bougoure who proved to be the difference in the match running perfect lines to make clean breaks and hard in defence. Matt scored four tries and got his side to a 40-28 win at home.
With all sides having a bye next weekend our attention turns to the South Qld Championships at Dalby. Darling Downs Colts and Seniors will take on Sunshine Coast with Colts kicking off at 6pm and Seniors at 8pm. On Saturday we will see a number of women's games before the two coastal sides battle it out at 1pm and 3pm. On the final day of the competition the Downs sides will play Gold Coast at 1pm and 3pm at John Ritter Oval in Dalby.
