Round 2 of Downs Rugby Wagners Risdon Cup was highlighted in the match of the round at Heritage Oval with the Toowoomba Bears hosting the Condamine Cods.
Condamine was buoyant after their first round win over the Roma Echidnas, while the Toowoomba Bears were fresh after the opening round bye. In a low scoring match dominated by defence, the sides battled out in the rain and fog, officiated by Tim Biggs. In the closing stages, the Cods held a 7-6 lead, before a clever kick and chase from the Bears resulted in an unconverted try to place the Bears in front 11-7. Cods secured a penalty in front of the posts to kick to a one-point deficit 10-11. The closing 10 minutes presented the Cods with at least four good opportunities to score, however the Bears' defence ensured a hard earned 11-10 victory. Cods secured a bonus competition point by losing within 7 points to the Bears.
The Roma Echindas travelled from the Ant's Nest to Gold Park and the might of the Toowoomba Rangers. The Rangers piled on six unanswered tries to different try scorers, winning a convincing 40-0 in an uneven affair.
Bears scrum half Wil Jackson earned three points and Rangers' Rob Taylor also secured three points toward the Mal Eiby Medal calculations as voted by the Darling Downs Rugby Referees Association.
The Wagners Risdon Cup after two rounds sees the Toowoomba Rangers in first place on the ladder with 68+ for and against, followed by the Condamine Cods on 6 points. Note that Bears and USQ have played one less game each due to the bye system.
The B grade Bill Flamsteed Trophy race is on with reigning premiers St George Frillnecks winning again over the USQ Saints 22-12 on the road.
At Heritage Oval, the Toowoomba Bears had another win with a convincing 24-5 victory over the Chinchilla River Rats.
Warwick impressed in their first game of the season with a 20-12 victory over the Toowoomba Rangers.
After two rounds, the Frillnecks lead the ladder by two points over the Toowoomba Bears, eight and six points respectively. Warwick and rangers sit in third and fourth place.
The Emilee Cherry Cup Women's 7s played its second round with fixtures at USQ and Heritage Oval in Toowoomba. Reigning premiers Toowoomba Bears, and the St George Filly Frillies, Warwick Water Rats and USQ Saints continue to impress with improving momentum.
Roma Echidnas drew 5-5 with Toowoomba Rangers Bullettes in a muddy clash at Hertage Oval to notch their first points of the season.
In a fortnight's time, from August 8, this competition moves from the current friendly rounds to a weekly tournament with Pool A and Pool B at the one venue each week.
Youth Girls' 7s under 13s, 15s and 17s continued again last Sunday with teams from Warwick Water Rats, Chinchilla River Rats, Toowoomba Bears, and USQ Saints.
Last night was the first round of the 2020 Darling Downs Super Schools Cup with Downs Rugby thankful to the Ramsay - Rugby Australia Foundation funding. Fixtures in years 7 and 8, years 9 and 10 and Opens under 18, were played at Risdon Oval Warwick, Gold Park and at Hugh Courtney Oval Gatton. Reigning premiers Toowoomba Anglican School, Mary Mackillop School and Faith Lutheran College Plainland are up against new colleges to the teenage boys XVs competition, St Mary's College and Highfields Secondary State School and last year's finalists Scots PGC Warwick.
Across the five active competitions we ask that all spectators register their attendance at all training or competition matches and people not from the same household are to distance 4sq m or 1.5 metres apart in the interests of everyone's safety.