Last Saturday round 14 of the Wagners Risdon Cup featured Dalby Ladies Day and a rare high-scoring draw between Roma Echidnas and the USQ Saints 26-26 all Fox Gallas Park, Roma. John Ritter Oval, Dalby hosted a sell-out Ladies Day with the Dalby Wheatchix winning all three of their Emilee Cherry Open Women's Sevens matches, while the defending Wagners Risdon Cup Premier Goondiwindi Emus were too good for the Wheatmen in A grade 29 points to 9.
With four rounds remaining in the regular season, the Wagners Risdon Cup race between second to fifth places only sees an eight-competition point difference. Roma Echidnas are in second place, Toowoomba Rangers third, USQ Saints are fourth and Condamine Cods fifth. Goondiwindi Emus are well ahead in first place, with the minor premiership in tow, leading by a commanding 24 competition points.
The Wagners B grade Competition is a tighter contest with only seven competition points separating the top four sides. St George Frillnecks are currently first, Dalby Wheatmen second, defending premiers the Goondiwindi Emus third, and Warwick Water Rats 11 points behind in fourth position.
Wagners C grade ladder has the Goondiwindi Emus well in front by 12 competition points clear of second placed Dalby Wheatmen, followed by Toowoomba Rangers and the Roma Echidnas.
Emilee Cheery Cup Open Women's Sevens still has the Toowoomba Bears commandingly in front, however they met with some fierce competition last Saturday, with a narrow victory over Condamine Codettes and a rare 5-14 loss to the USQ Saints. Second place is the Coddettes, third is Dalby Wheatchix (after three from three on Ladies Day) and St George Filly Frillnecks and Warwick Water Rats are fourth and fifth respectively.
Tomorrow, Friday June 5 marks the Opening Ceremony of the Teenage Boys' State Championships at Downlands College. Three days (Friday to Sunday) of non-stop games for Qld Sub-Unions: Darling Downs, Brisbane Junior Rugby Union, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Central Queensland, Townsville, with the Northern Territory as well. Under 12 developmental grade and under 13, 14 and 16s competing for silverware, and the chance to play at Ballymore a week later in City-Country Championships. There will be 713 participants and over 2500 spectators and officials daily. It is an incredible sports tourism event for Toowoomba and a Downs Rugby and Queensland Rugby Union spectacle, again to be hosted at the same venue in 2020.
The Wagners Risdon Cup Annual Awards are to be included with the Risdon Cup Grand Final in 2019 on Saturday August 24 at Toowoomba Sports Ground (Athletic Oval). The coveted Mal Eiby Medal for 2019's best and fairest as judged by Glencore Agriculture DDRRA Referees is up for grabs, in addition to the Ken Long Award for Volunteer of the Year, Ambulance Shield, Club Championship, and Junior Club of the Year to name all but a few.
Go Downs Rugby at the State Championships this weekend at Downlands.
