It was a hot day across the Highlands for the second round of the Central Highlands Junior Rugby League 2014 season. Gemfields, Emerald Tigers, Clermont and Peak Downs all hosted home games on the weekend.
Across at the Gemfields, president Dale Bryce was extremely happy with the day despite the heat. He nominated the Under 10s as the game of the day.
“A handful of the Under 8s played up to fill in spots, and were all better players by the end of the game learning to spread out wide, and stay in position,” he said.
“Bryce nominated three players who stood out on the day. “Lachlan Gray was a standout in defence, as was Cooper Taylor in his first year in the Under 10s. Andon Boon ran hard and was difficult to tackle, and was also very strong in defence.”
In Emerald, the Tigers hosted both Middlemount and Blackwater. President Craig Barsby was pleased that everything ran smoothly for their home game. “It was a great start to the season,” Barsby said.
Barsby nominated the Under 14s as the game of the day. He said, despite low numbers in this age group, he was impressed with how well they worked together.
“The smaller guys stood up, and it was good to see the improvement in their team work.”
Further west, the Clermont Bears hosted the Emerald Brothers. President Wendy Johnstone nominated the Under 16s as the game of the day.
“Defence was a priority for both teams and this was obvious by great tackling and the low score,” Johnstone said.
“It was a game of halves with Brothers dominating the first and Clermont the second. In the end, however it was goal kicking that made the difference with Clermont kicking three from three, and Brothers two from three.”
The Peak Downs Pirates hosted the final game in this round when they took on Brothers White.
President Ian Morrissey said both the Under 8s and the Under 16s games were great to watch. He made particular mention of the Under 16s game as the players travel from Tieri, Capella, Blackall and Longreach to participate.
“The way they work together is nothing short of brilliant,” Morrissey said.
“He was reluctant to single out any individual preferring to focus on the entire team and their exemplary discipline. “They are a credit to their coaches, their parents and to our club.”
Round three sees the Tigers play host to the Gemfields and Springsure, Dysart will host Brothers White, Clermont will host Peak Downs, and Middlemount will host Blackwater.
