The talk of the competition is the resurgent Toowoomba Bears who are breathing new life into the Wagners Risdon Cup, notching their fourth win in a row with a 20 - 14 victory over the Toowoomba Rangers.
The Goondiwindi Emus continued their dominance in 2019, with a 38 - 0 victory over Condamine at the Fish Tank. The Wagners Risdon Cup ladder race is tightening with Roma Echidnas and the Toowoomba Rangers only separated by one competition point for second on the ladder. The Toowoomba Bears' improved form now has them one competition point away for fifth on the ladder from the Condamine Cods. Wins on the weekend also included Roma Echidnas and the USQ Saints.
Last Saturday the Toowoomba Anglican School hosted its annual junior carnival, with three fields hosting over 60 games in a very exciting format for junior boys and girls across the Downs.
Last Sunday Downs Rugby hosted the teenage grand finals at the Toowoomba Sports Ground which was historic given that the youth girls 7s for U13, U15 and U17s was incorporated with the teenage boys' grand finals for the first time. This day was enjoyed by participants, their families and we've received overwhelming positive feedback.
Youth girls 7s U13s social match was between USQ and Scots PGC Warwick, and the U15s youth girls premiers were Toowoomba Bears. U17s youth girls 7s final was a memorable clash between the Toowoomba Bears and the Condamine Codettes, with the Bears claiming the premiership. U13s teenage boys premiers for 2019 is the Toowoomba Bears, claiming the Greg Holmes Shield. The Dalby Wheatman had a convincing 52-10 victory to claim the 2019 Berrick Barnes shield. The USQ Saints claimed the U15s Tim Horan Shield, while South Kookaburras played in an epic battle with the Toowoomba Bears to win by only a converted try to claim the Hugh McMenimen Shield. All the spoils for the day were shared between the different clubs, which is encouraging to see for the competitions.
This Saturday features two of the best social events on the rugby calendar. The Goondiwindi Emus host a mini carnival as part of round 5 of the Emilee Cherry Cup open women 7s and the Toowoomba Rangers in Risdon Cup action at Riddles Oval. The Roma Rugby Races will be held at Bassett Park with the other mini carnival for the Emilee Cherry Cup, in a unique format with rugby games on a field in the middle of the Bassett race course, culminating in an A-grade clashed between the Roma Echidnas and the Condamine Cods, in the match of the round.
It is only three weeks until the 2019 teenage boys State Championships at Downlands College on July 5, 6 and 7.
Matt Hammond
