Last Saturday round 15 of the Wagners Risdon Cup featured Ladies Day at Warwick and the ladders developing towards the Super Saturday finals' hosting rights.
Wagners Risdon Cup ladder leaders Goondiwindi Emus had a bye, while the Roma Echidnas travelled to Heritage Oval to record a 40-8 win over the Toowoomba Bears. This leaves Roma now four points clear of the Toowoomba Rangers in second place on the Risdon Ladder. Dalby Wheatmen enjoyed a close 22-15 win over USQ with a vital two competition points away from home. Toowoomba Rangers won by 20 points against Gatton Blackpigs.
The Wagners Match of the Round this Saturday sees the third placed Toowoomba Rangers travelling to The Fish Tank to take on the fourth placed Condamine Cods. Only four competition points separate these teams with three regular season rounds to go - remember four competition points for a win, and a bonus point if three tries clear.
Round 15 also features the B Grade Match of the Round at Rowden Park for the Frillnecks Sponsors Day with the in-form St George v Warwick Water Rats. St George will also unveil their team bus donated from Bus Queensland and a mini carnival of Emilee Cherry Cup Open Women's 7s. Riddles Oval, Goondiwindi hosts their Sponsors Day and an Open Women's 7s mini carnival as well.
Last weekend Downs Rugby hosted the QRU Teenage Boys' 2019 State Championships at Downlands College. Testing weather conditions, including dense fog, persistent rain and mud, did not diminish the brilliant competition and atmosphere for the 713 participants, 35 volunteers, 150 coaches and management. Over 3000 people attended the championships over three days. An absolute success and we welcome the hosting rights again in 2020. The championships culminated with our Downs Rugby sides performing very well with our Under 13s and Under 14s both securing third place, and the Under 16s after some very close two-point defeats securing seventh. Under 12s was a developmental grade. Memorable moments included: players with arm over shoulder in unison for the Australian National Anthem Opening Ceremony, and the Under 16 Downs and Northern Territory players in a combined war-cry after their final.
The following Downs Rugby players have been further selected to play on Friday for Country v City at Ballymore: Congratulations to our Under 13s - Angus Buckley, Chase Oats, Ewald Kruger, Patrick Nolan, Max North and Noah Taylor. Under 14s - Connor Day, George Bailey, Henry Ford, Mason Kira, Sonny Dahlaeimer, and Wihan Krugar. Under 16s: Assistant coach: John Hill, manager: Rick Lingard, players: Anthony Connellan, Declan Pickard, Jordan Aramoana, Preston Brown, Ronan Austin.
I would like to thank all at Downs Rugby for their endless voluntary efforts, Downlands College, and of course, our sponsors: Wagners, Wideland Group / Case iH, FKG Group, Toowoomba Regional Council, McGrath Estate Agents / Realestate.com.au, Chris Buckley Plumbing & Civil, Range Event Hire and Comtel.
