Rangers in form as finals action looms
Toowoomba Rangers continued on a steady course to next month’s Wagners Wellcamp Risdon Cup finals’ series with a round 17 victory over Highfields at Gold Park on Saturday.
Led by a three try-effort from elusive fullback Lachlan Sperling, Rangers overcame a spirited Redbacks effort to rack up a 62-7 win.
Winger Simon Krelle, centre Mitch Cush, Sperling and halfback Brad Rigby crossed in the first session to help post a 26-0 half-time lead.
Sperling capped a dynamic performance with a further two tries in the second sessioin with Ben Smith, Jakeb Rice, Matt Roberts and Clayton Clinche also joining the try-scorers list.
Highfields’ plucky second-half performance was rewarded in the 75th minute when flanker Kane Parton went over for a try converted from wide out by Josh Sayeg.
While Rangers are headed for the season’s big dance, Highfields tough first-year Risdon Cup initiation is all about posting small wins along the journey and head-coach Cameron Donaldson took positives from his team’s effort against the premiership contenders.
“We had probably our strongest squad of 23 players together today,” Donaldson said.
“We haven’t been able to that all season with our injuries and it’s nice to be in that position for a change.
“Our forwards were solid today. When Rangers put them under pressure I thought they stepped up well.
“They didn’t take a backward step, but Rangers are a quality team and they got on top of us with their experience.
“Their fullback (Lachlan Sperling) was outstanding today and we just don’t have any weapons like him at this stage.
“They certainly got us out wide today and that’s something we can only overcome with experience.”
Rangers march towards a top-three season finish has been dampened with news representative hooker Rob Patterson is out for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury.