Round 9 was completed at the weekend in the Rockhampton and District Junior Rugby League after a week off for the CQ Capras Junior trials.
Representative players shone for their club sides in some good games of footy played in the hope of edging a finals berth.
The Under 13 competition is starting to take shape with Cap Coast on top. Brothers Blue kept in touch with a win over the Tigers, Norths also kept their top four status with a good win over Brothers White and Emu Park may have cemented the last spot with a couple of rounds to go defeating Yeppoon on Saturday.
In the Under 14 age group, Gracemere and Brothers kept the top two positions with wins over Norths and Rocky Tigers and Yeppoon looks like they have cemented a top three position.
Norths are still holding onto the fourth spot with a couple of rounds to go.
This year’s Under 15 competition looks to be one of the closest in the competition in recent times.
Yeppoon put themselves near the top of the table with a big win over Cap Coast Brothers, Brothers keep pushing for a top two finish with a win over Rocky Tigers whilst the two big improvers this year in this competition; Fitzroy's and Norths couldn't be separated at fulltime finishing up 16-16.
The Under 16 Brothers clash on Friday night proved an entertaining game of football with tough defence an early feature of the game, though it was Brothers Blue maintaining top position with a 10-point win. Yeppoon kept its top four ambitions alive with a good win over Emu Park and Fitzroy's shut out Norths at Rockhampton Rugby League headquarters, Browne Park.
In the Under 18 competition, the Emu Park Emus continue to soar at the top of the table knocking off Yeppoon at the beach on Saturday, whilst an enthralling game on Friday night at Browne Park saw Norths take a step at a top two finish in the Under 18 season.
ROUND 9 RESULTS
Under 13
Emu Park 22 Yeppoon 12
Brothers Blue 54 Rocky Tigers 0
Norths 36 Brothers White 0
Under 14
Yeppoon 66 Emu Park 6
Brothers 36 Rocky Tigers 10
Gracemere 20 Norths 10
Under 15
Yeppoon 64 Cap Coast Brothers 0
Brothers 12 Rocky Tigers 6
Norths 16 Fitzroy's 16
Under 16
Yeppoon 32 Emu Park 10
Brothers Blue 22 Brothers White 12
Fitzroy's 30 Norths 0
Under 18
Emu Park 36 Yeppoon 6
Norths 16 Cap Coast Brothers 12
ROUND 10 PREVIEW
With a couple of rounds remaining in this year’s season, this weekend’s games could be crucial to teams’ finals aspirations.
The Rockhampton Brethren travel to the beach this week with a few games looking as guides to semi-final positions.
In the Under 13 age group, Cap Coast come off the bye and will be looking to keep their top of the table position while Brothers Blue will hopefully be confident after last weekend’s results.
Yeppoon host Norths in an Under 15 clash which could be close to the game of the round.
Norths, now under the guidance of Rod Peckett, have been able to utilise their big forwards and are playing entertaining football. Yeppoon have been the bridesmaid for the last two years and need to gain some confidence against a top four side to propel them into a tough finals series.
At Elizabeth Park, the Tigers Under 13s could make a late charge at a top four position as Emu Park are just holding on to that spot. A big performance by the Tigers may just give them a final fling at a semi-final spot.
In the Under 18 game, Brothers will be looking to lock up a top four spot with a win against Cap Coast and with this competition, there are several sides close on points and one slip now could prove costly for a final spot.
ROUND 10 FIXTURES
Friday, May 19 – Webb Park, Yeppoon
Under 13 Cap Coast Brothers v Brothers Blue
Under 14 Cap Coast Brothers v Brothers
Under 15 Cap Coast Brothers v Brothers
Under 16 Cap Coast Brothers v Brothers Blue
Under 18 Cap Coast Brothers v Brothers
Friday, May 19 – Browne Park, Rockhampton
Under 13 Yeppoon v Norths
Under 14 Yeppoon v Norths
Under 15 Yeppoon v Norths
Under 16 Yeppoon v Norths
Under 18 Yeppoon v Norths
Saturday, May 20 – Elizabeth Park, Rockhampton
Under 13 Rockhampton Tigers v Emu Park
Under 14 Rockhampton Tigers v Emu Park
Under 15 Rockhampton Tigers v Fitzroy's
Under 16 Brothers White v Emu Park
In closing, the Rockhampton and District Junior Rugby League would like to thank all the clubs, volunteers and players that made last weekend’s CQ Capras Junior trials a very good event and would like to congratulate all the players selected to represent Central Queensland at the upcoming Crows trials in Gladstone.
