Rugby is back!
It was a record-breaking finale to the Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU season, with the biggest crowd for an Australian derby in almost 20 years, as the Queensland Reds took home the title at Suncorp Stadium, in front of 41,637 parochial fans. Saturday night's television audience peaked at a staggering 464,000, with the average audience up 232 per cent from last year's final. The first title win for the Reds since 2011, and our presence on free to air TV, will definitely translate to increased junior participation.
In a truly memorable grand final, which was won by the Reds only in the 85th minute, James McReight was the player of the match. However, it was an incredible overall team performance, with 90pc of the Reds squad who are Queenslanders playing through grass roots pathways.
Round five of the Wagners Risdon Cup was played last Saturday. In the match of the round, the Gatton Black Pigs hosted the Roma Echidnas. In a tight game, scrums were tightly contested, with both teams winning against the feed. Gatton's superior fitness proved the difference in the second half, to claim a 29-14 victory. The win keeps the Black Pigs in fourth position on the Wagners Risdon Cup ladder. The Echidnas' Dan Coulthurst claimed the three Mal Eiby medal points for this match, even though he was from the losing team. Dan currently leads the Mal Eiby Medal leader board, after five rounds of Wagners Risdon Cup.
At the Fish Tank, the Condamine Cods hosted the Dalby Wheatmen. In a very closely contested match, the Wheatmen prevailed 32-17. Dalby's victory sees them in second place on the Wagners Risdon Cup ladder, with three victories from four matches in 2021. William Walton, Dalby, claimed the three Mal Eiby Medal points from this match.
At Riddles Oval, the Goondiwindi Emus hosted the Toowoomba Bears. Referee Graham Baker reported that the match was played in good spirit and a great effort from the Toowoomba Bears, who had 12 players backing up from B grade. Emus had a dominant forward pack, almost scoring a rolling maul try from 22 metres out. Goondiwindi remain unbeaten in 2021, with 223 positive for/against points. George Perry, Emus, collected three Mal Eiby Medal points.
At Gold Park, Toowoomba Rangers hosted the under-strength USQ Saints. USQ were outgunned, particularly on the outsides. The match was scrappy but felt closer on the field than the scoreline of Rangers 63-7 over USQ appeared. Mal Grealy, Rangers, claimed three Mal Eiby Medal points.
In the Nutrien Ag Solutions B grade, in a 2020 grand final rematch at Rowden Oval, St George Frillnecks played the reigning premiers Warwick Water Rats. It was another epic Warwick v St George battle! St George Frillnecks were undermanned, but kept themselves in the game, with a slick backline. Warwick's fifth win of 2021 sees them narrowly in second place on the Nutrien Ag Solutions B grade ladder, only one competition point behind Dalby Wheatmen in first place.
Round three of the Black Izuzu Emilee Cherry Cup was played last Saturday at Gold Park and Riddles Oval. The race for the 2021 Charlotte Caslick Medal, for the best and fairest, is heating up. After three rounds, three players are tied in first place: Briana Dascombe (USQ Saints), Alice Rathie (St George) and Taleah Hornick (Dalby). The ladder sees Roma Echidnas (1) atop the table, followed by Dalby, USQ, St George and Toowoomba Bears.
Tickets are now on sale for the prestigious 2021 Downs Rugby Awards Night, in the heart of Toowoomba's CBD, at the new Oaks Hotel, on Saturday July 17. Secure your tickets before it is too late, via the link at www.downsrugby.com.au. By simply purchasing a ticket, you will be in the running to win a signed 2019 Wallabies World Cup jersey, or a Gold 2022 Double Reds membership pass to Suncorp Stadium.