DETERMINED GATTON TAKES DOWN REIGNING PREMIERS:
A statement has been sounded in the opening round of the Risdon Cup.
The Gatton Blackpigs travelled into Toowoomba and took down the reigning premiers Bears 37-19 at Heritage Oval.
It marked an impressive showing from the visitors who led from start to finish as well as putting a stop to a second half comeback.
“I was really happy with everything from a coaching perspective,” Blackpigs coach Arthur Marais said.
“The things we worked on during the pre-season all got transferred onto the field.
“Our new players found their own and really looked at home with the rest of the team after not being able to train for a couple of weeks.
“More than half of our team at the weekend hadn’t played for us before. They’re personalities that really fit into the culture.”
After getting off to a strong start, Marais praised the way his side was able to sustain second-half pressure from the Bears, to eventually put them away.
“We got off to a quick start and scored first,” he said.
“They came back and scored two tries in the second half to cut down our lead.
“They looked like they would catch us. We tend to go to sleep a bit, but when we needed to lift we did when the game looked like it could swing either way.
“Bill Donaldson scored two tries playing flanker, and Harry Webster forced two turnovers.
“Dean Bichel and TJ Hawthorne were strong in the centres and our front row was strong at scrums.”
Toowoomba Rangers were forced to fight hard for their points, travelling to Condamine for a 19-14 victory over the Cods.
The Goondiwindi Emus almost brought up the century, downing USQ 99-0 at the border town, with Samuel Tweedy scoring a hat-trick in the victory.
Broc Turner also scored
three for Dalby as the Wheatmen took down the Roma Echidnas with ease, prevailing 55-0.
EMILEE CHERRY CUP
In the opening round of Emilee Cherry Cup action, Roma and USQ stood tall with consistent days across the board.
Roma remained unbeaten in the carnival at Dalby, winning all four games, while USQ had a perfect record in their three games at Heritage Oval.
SCORES
Heritage Oval: Bears 10-29 USQ, Bullettes 0-26 Gatton, USQ 43-7 Gatton, Bullettes 5-32 Bears, USQ 45-0 Bullettes, Bears 34-5 Gatton
Dalby: Dalby 27-7 Goondiwindi, Roma2 5-22 St George, Roma1 12-10 Dalby, Goondiwindi 5-10 Roma2, St George 10-34 Roma1, Dalby 41-0 Roma2, Roma1 48-0 Goondiwindi, St George 10-20 Dalby, Roma1 35-0 Roma2, Goondiwindi 20-22 St George