It's Wagners Risdon Cup grand final week, and Downs Rugby could not have any more anticipation and excitement in the ranks!
Toowoomba Sports Ground (Clive Berghofer Stadium) turf is green in the midst of the drought, and ready for a smorgasbord of thrilling grand finals. The forecast is a comfortable 23 degrees, however for 2019 grand finalists and their loyal fans, the temperature and nerves are soaring. Gates open from 10am, entry for adults $10, 17 and under free, eftpos/paywave facilities.
Tickets are selling fast for the best seats in the house from the John 'Cracker' McDonald Function Room from the top of the grandstand at only $40 per person. E-mail matthew.hammond@downsrugby.com.au to secure your ticket. This year features prestigious Downs Rugby Awards including 2019 Club Champions Award, Ken Long Award (Volunteer of the Year) and the Mal Eiby Medal (Referees 3-2-1 Best and Fairest) on-field before the Wagners Risdon Cup grand final kick-off from 3.30pm.
Last Saturday's Wagners Risdon Cup elimination final featured a re-match of Super Saturday 1's epic golden point extra time thriller between the Roma Echidnas and Toowoomba Rangers. This encounter was a also close and tense match, until a late Matt Bougoure try to triumph for the Rangers, and heartbreak for the resurgent Echidnas 28-24. Congratulations to Roma for their fantastic turnaround 2019, and their youthful side will be a force in 2020.
Defending Premiers Goondiwindi Emus are country unbeaten favourites against the battle-hardened city underdog Toowoomba Rangers for the Wagners Risdon Cup. Who will raise the Wagners Risdon Cup in 2019?
Wagners B grade final features the minor premier St George Frillnecks against the Goondiwindi Emus, who qualified with a convincing 20-10 elimination final over Dalby Wheatmen last week.
St George Frillnecks are the Cinderella story with a strong bounce back year. This is the most evenly poised match of grand final day, hold onto your seats from 12:55pm to determine Bill Flamsteed Trophy recipient.
Wagners C grade features minor premier Goondiwindi Emus against Dalby Wheatmen. A classic country clash to start the day from 11am for the right to hoist the ES Dooney Memorial Trophy.
The Emilee Cherry Cup race begins with the preliminary final between the Dalby Wheatchix and 2019 debutants St George Filly Frillnecks from 12.30pm with the winner earning their grand final match against the Toowoomba Bears, who are on track for their third successive Emilee Cherry Open Women's Sevens title.
Exciting 2019 grand finals await and we thank our major sponsors Wagners, FKG Group and Black Isuzu Ute.
Matt Hammond, GM Downs Rugby
