Last weekend was a bonanza of rugby across the Darling Downs.
Round Two of the Wagners Risdon Cup, senior men's, was held at four different venues. At Riddles Oval, the Goondiwindi Emus hosted their annual Old Boys' Day. In 14-degree, chilly conditions, the Condamine Cods maintained a very close match in the first half against a strong Goondiwindi Emus side. Goondiwindi's experience shone through in the second half, allowing the Emus to score multiple tries. The 48-0 scoreline was not a true reflection of a great match for all spectators. Emus captain Sam Tweedy earned three more points towards Mal Eiby Medal calculations.
At John Riddle Oval, Dalby, the Wheatmen hosted the Gatton Black Pigs, with both sides buoyant off round one victories. It was a very physical match played in pouring rain, with the score close for the first half. In the second half, Gatton pulled away with a three-try lead, with a spirited come back from the Wheatmen. It was an amazing match, finishing Gatton 23 - Dalby 22. Gatton's fly-half Lachlan Finlay earned three points to Mal Eiby medal calculations. The Black Pigs' Hahns Spierling is the early front runner for the Mal Eiby Medal on five points.
This Saturday at 3pm, at Hugh Courtney Oval Gatton, will see the match of the Wagners Risdon Cup round with the unbeaten Goondiwindi Emus up against host Gatton Black Pigs in what will be a fantastic match.
At Heritage Oval, the winless Toowoomba Bears and USQ Saints met in treacherous, cold and rainy conditions. Both sides maintained a strong scrum in an open game played in a positive spirit. Bears posted their first win in 2021 with a 36-0 victory over USQ Saints. Will Jackson (Bears) earned three Mal Eiby Medal points for this match.
At Gold Park, the Toowoomba Rangers hosted the Roma Echidnas in cold, wet, and windy weather. The Echidnas took the early lead, however Rangers prevailed for a 32-11 victory - to remain unbeaten in 2021. Rangers captain Tom Vinson (scrumhalf), earned three Mal Eiby points.
Last Friday and Saturday, Downs Rugby hosted the inaugural U12 Challenge at Highfields Sport and Recreation Park. The competition saw 16 teams, between two divisions, competing from all corners of south east Queensland. The competition was extremely successful, with over 500 boys and girls competing - with overwhelming positive feedback. Downs Rugby will look to make this an annual competition.
Last Sunday, in beautiful conditions at the Highfields Sports Park, Downs Rugby hosted the Southern Queensland Country Trials. Downs Rugby played in two divisions: U19 Colt's Men's and for the first time, Women's XV-a-side. In the Colts, Downs played two spirited matches against Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. In the Women's XVs, our Downs ladies played a brilliant match against the Sunshine Coast Stingrays. In a very physical match, our Downs side won 10-0. Our Colts and Women's XVs await selections for the Queensland Country Championships, for the right to play for Southern Queensland Country v NQ in Cairns (May 1-3 long weekend).
On Friday night, with school back, our teenage boys' competition resumes for round five. Tomorrow night also marks the beginning of the youth girls' 7s competition, on Friday nights during term two. This Saturday, Downs Rugby's junior competition starts, with 55 teams competing in the opening junior carnival at Riddles Oval Goondiwindi for five to 12-year-old boys and girls.
