RANGERS MAINTAIN WINNING RUN IN RISDON CUP.

Rangers continue hot Risdon Cup start to maintain pace

RUGBY UNION: The Toowoomba Rangers are showing their credentials as a genuine Rison Cup contender after their fourth win of the season.

Preparing for an ambush by a strong Gatton Black Pigs side, the Rangers held their nerve at Gold Park, with a hot start guiding them to a 47-5 victory.

With the wind behind their back, Toowoomba made full use of the advantage to race out to a 33-0 lead at halftime, taking all the momentum into the sheds.

“We were on guard because Gatton have been going well and they’ve got closer than any other team to beating Goondiwindi,” coach Cameron Donaldson said.

“It was one of those games where we had been training well and it all came together on the day.

“We were able to get on the front foot early and we made it difficult for Gatton to get any traction.

“We were able to score tries regularly and took a lot of momentum into the second half.

“Jock Jackson had a very good game and carried the ball well. Ted Stuart was player’s player and was strong in defence. Tom Vinson did well controlling things and leading around the park.”

The win keeps the Rangers firmly entrenched in the top three, with Donaldson stressing the importance of wins.

“The nature of the beast is you have to stay within reach of them (Goondiwindi and Dalby),” he said.

“The key is to be consistent. We know what we’re trying to be, and that’s to keep performing whether we’re at home or away.”

The unbeaten start to the season of the Goondiwindi Emus continued as they came away from Roma with a 40-3 defeat of the Echidnas.

Dalby remains in second spot after staging a comprehensive 44-0 defeat of the Toowoomba Bears at Heritage Oval.

The Wheatmen had six individual tryscorers in the shutout as they maintained their hot form to start the Risdon Cup season.

Condamine holds solid in fifth spot on the ladder after edging out USQ 15-0 in Toowoomba.

The Cods were able to keep the home side at bay as they chased their first win of the season.

Pictures: Kevin Farmer TACKING CHARGE: Mal Grealy barks instructions for the Toowoomba Rangers in their 47-5 win over Gatton at Gold Park. (INSET, from left) Dean Bichel is met by strong defence, and Brandon Murray looks to push a pass.