What a great turn-out for our first home game of the year. A big thank you to the many helpers and supporters who offered input in staging an awesome family day out, in which14 games of footy were played.
“This success gives us a sniff of what’s to come with the upcoming carnival July 6 - 11.
“This carnival in July will showcase the cream of under-12 footballers from across Queensland eager to claim the title for 2008 in this five-day event.
“We need all the community support we can raise to make this carnival the best ever. We urge families who could assist is billeting visiting players to please offer your support. Other than the lack of billets the organisation and planning is running along smoothly thanks to the dedicated hand full of parents organising this event,” LRJRL president George McCormick, said.
Among the football we had the opportunity to host the nationally screened Bare foot Rugby League Show on the day. This has promoted our Junior Rugby League Club, players and community.
Host and former NRL star Wes Patten has indicated the possible return to Spider Brown Oval for the upcoming Queensland Zone five under-12 carnival planned for July 6 - 11.
The program is due to be aired on Austar channel 180 tomorrow or the following Thursday at 6.30pm. Thank you to Mr Chris ‘Gummy’ Lamb for organising the visit.
OPALS
GAME ONE: The first game saw our Opals come up against our other Tiger Cub team the Diggers. Always a tough encounter as all Lightning Ridge under-8s are improving every week.
The Opals defended really well, with Ian Woodcock, Xhana Tishler, Ryan Brown and birthday boy Jett Tishler leading the way in defence. Some great runs were seen by Joshua Doctor and Lucy McBride. Winston McBride was outstanding, out pacing the opposition to run in four tries. Man-of-the-match Oscar Cheal pulled off some try saving tackles and had some great runs. All players ran the ball really well, tackled and show great teamwork.
Final score Opals 16 - Nobbies 12
GAME TWO: A revved up Opals matched up against St George White in front of the home crowd. Another tough game, the Opals worked hard in defence to keep the Dragons out for the majority of the game. Jasmine Tooth scored a great try in the corner. Jett and Winston once again consistent in defence and attack, with Jett scoring two tries and Winston crossing the line for four.
In the last set Jailyn Webb off-loaded the ball for Winston to go over the try line to score for the Opals, well done and great teamwork Jailyn. Man-of-the-match Ryan Brown is becoming a player to be noticed, involved in every tackle and making valued metres with the ball. Congratulations to Winston McBride who was awarded the Harlequin Cafe ‘best on the day’.
Final score Opals 28 - 20
NOBBIES
GAME ONE: Our first game put us up against our own. The Opals looked bigger and tougher than we remembered. With nine Nobbies players it meant we had one on the sideline and no one wanted to be there. Ben Smith, Cameron Summers, Luke Clauss, Doug Winch, Dylan Ciprian, Archer Holz, Madison Drew, Rylan Simms and Tom Barrett all had a great game.
We tried hard and kept it fairly even for most of the game, Archer scored two tries and Madison scored one.
The Opals got away by one, the end score was 16 - 12 to the Opals. Doug put in an enormous effort with his tackles and almost scored a try earning man of the match. Luke, Cameron, Rylan and Ben came close to getting over the line as well. Dylan, Maddy and Tom were unbelievable in defence.
GAME TWO: Mungindi. Nobbies focused, cranky for just missing out by one and hungry for the win.
We went in unforgivingly, fast and strong every player stepped up. Dan McIntosh came in after calling in sick for the first game. We didn’t look like the same team all were there in defence, back up and attack. Ben and Cameron scored one try each, Archer two and Rylan Simms came in for his first try of the season with the camera right on him. Cippo you were again the quiet achiever who is proving very valuable.
The final score Nobbies 24 - Mungindi 12. Man Of the Match Rylan Simms and the Harlequin Cafe ‘player of the day’ went to Archer Holz.
Under-10s
GAME ONE - Top-of-the-table under-10s matched up against the highly-regarded St George White team. In a fine start to the day the Tigers ran out 24 - 4 victors in a powerful team display. Patrick Knight earned himself man-of-the-match with intimidating bursts up the blind side making good ground every time he touched the ball. Good service from halves Bella McKenzie, Rory Cheal, Samuel Jackson-Bolton and Kyle McGovern had the St George defence in two minds and regularly on the back foot.
Standouts were Tom ‘Rambo’ O’Brien, Jake Henry, Jake Peden, Rusty Dean, Dallas Woodcock, Mitchell Cummings and Josh McCormick. Good team effort 10s.
GAME TWO - The much improved Mungindi Grasshoppers were next on the list as the four hour break between games took away the momentum of the Tigers team. In a see-sawing game the Tigers eventually put them away 36 -24. Samuel, Rory, Kyle,Tom, Jack Thompson and new boy Brody Tzvetkoff showed good skills. Man-of-the-match Samuel Jackson-Bolton. Congratulations to Samuel Lollback who earned himself “best on the day” and was awarded a burger and drink voucher from the Harlequin Cafe. Well done Tigers.
Under-12s
The under-12s suffered to the hands of St. George Red.
Darcy Kidd scored the first try in the opening minutes of the game and Van O’Brien also scored a try in the closing minutes of the first half. With only 11 players allowed on the field and nine on the bench, inter-changes were frequent. The boys played well but couldn’t really settle into any game plans due to so many interchanges. Man of the match went to Robert ‘hit man’ Thomson. The Harlequin Cafe ‘player of the day’ went to Nathan Dean our new halfback. Welcome also to Max Hall who played his first game out on the wing.
Under-14s
Under-14s started out great, scoring in the first five minutes, but not moving off the line together put St George in for a few tries. The Tigers stayed in the game with some great runs in the forwards and backs, which helped them score again. There were some great tackles by the Tigers, but not enough to keep St George from getting over the line a few more times. The Ridge came back in the end but it was too late as St George had already run away with the game. The under-14s travel to Brewarrina this weekend to take part in the CRL competition.
o o o
We have a rest weekend for the long weekend. Next games are at Mungindi June 14. The under-10s will once again take the paddock at 8.30am. Training will continue as usual.
If you are able to take in a billet or two for the carnival week please contact Kelly Tishler on 0428613322. If you can help out the week of the carnival please contact Amanda Cheal on 0429955937 or George McCormick on 0439024902.
A carnival meeting will be held at the Bowling Club at 7pm Monday June 9, please attend, as many people as possible are needed.
Congratulations to Graham Ruttley who won our Junior League jersey raffle and to Debbie Beno who picked the joker on Friday night taking home $3800. The cash pot joker will kick off this week at $2000. Tickets go on sale from 6.30pm Friday night at the Hotel Motel.