THE last day of junior rugby league in Rockhampton had perfect weather and great rugby league action last Saturday.
The day started early with sides in Under 6 to Under 10 taking to Browne Park for one last hit out of football. All games were played in good spirt and was enjoyed by all.
The first grand final for decision was the Under 11 match between Minor Premiers Cap Coast Brothers and Rocky Brothers Blue. Brothers Blue had edged out Cap Coast in the semi-final and were looking to maintain their dominance over the Coast side.
The game kicked off with strong defence from both sides it then opened up when Cap Coast second row Zander Jaquet broke through out wide and started a long 30m run, this came to an abrupt end when bundled into touch by Brothers Fullback Noah Chadwick.
From that restart, Rocky Brothers made their way down field and break by Chadwick lead to the first points when a quick play the ball and the ball thrown wide to centre Dominic Chavasse to score, Joe Sutton converted to give them a 6-0 lead.
It took another five minutes before the score board would be troubled when Cap Coasts Grady Callaghan broke through to score and with his conversion the sides went to half time locked at 6-0.
The second half started like the first with both teams not giving anything away, after a number of mistakes by Rocky Brothers hooker Thomas Hooper dove over from dummy half and with Toby Messer’s conversion gave the coast brothers a 12-6 lead.
Cap Coast kept the pressure on and when speedy fullback Kalani Sing rang through the defence it gave the Coast side a 16-6 lead with seven minutes remaining. Cap Coast then made a mistake from the kick off and the ball from thrown wide were centre Dominic Chavasse grab his second try which was converted by Riley Thorley and with 5 minutes remaining Rocky Brothers trailed 16-12.
Both sides threw everything at each other and with two minutes left Rocky Brothers half back Joe Sutton put a kick through, big second rower Riley Thorley jumped on the ball and ran 10m breaking tackles to score. Winger Sam Baxter converted to give Rocky Brothers an 18-16 lead.
Cap Coast restarted, but that would be the last play of the day and Rocky Brothers prevailed in an entertaining game of football. There were plenty of players in line for Man of the Match Honours it was the two fullbacks Noah Chadwick (Rocky Brothers) and Kalani Sing (Cap Coast Brothers) that were outstanding all day for each side.
Rockhampton Brothers Blue 18 (Dominic Chavasse 2, Riley Thorley tries; Sam Baxter, Joe Sutton, Riley Thorley goals) def Cap Coast Brothers 16 (Kalani Sing, Thomas Hooper, Grady Callaghan tries; Toby Messer, Grady Callaghan goals)
IN THE UNDER 12 game, minor premiers Yeppoon Seagulls were looking to finish the season off well and make up for last year’s loss in the decider. Emu Park had a big crowd on hand for the game and were looking to help get their side over the line.
Like the previous game, both sides were giving nothing away and it took Kolby Green to take charge of the game when he sliced through to score Riley Webster converted to give Yeppoon the early lead.
A mistake from Yeppoon let Emu Park back in the game with big second rower Tennessen Brown crashed over; Jett McCarthy converted to lock the game back up.
Green then produced a great show and go and scored under the posts while Oliver Jack gave Seagulls the advantage again with a goal.
Another mistake by the Seagulls and a scrum saw the ball thrown out to Fred McKinley to score a fantastic conversion from near the side line by Tristian Butler locked the scores up again.
From the kick off, Emu Park allowed the ball go into touch and Seagulls finished the half with a try to fullback Jack Howarth and a 16-12 score line.
Both sides played conservative football to start the second half and in the 10th minute Emu Parks Lionel Mann through a big dummy and strolled over under the post his conversion gave Emu Park the lead for the first time in the match 18-16.
Yeppoon hit back shortly after when fullback Jack Howarth score his second try from a very good back line move and a 20-18 lead.
Yeppoon then started playing entertaining football and Copper Matty was the beneficiary of a very good back line move to push the score out to 24-18.
With a minute left on the clock reserve back Izacc Jackson scored out wide with big front rower Bailey Querro slotting the conversion for a Yeppoon win 30 -18.
Both sides had plenty of players sticking their hand up for man of the match honours Yeppoon’s Kolby Green was judge best on ground along with Emu Parks Tennessen Brown.
It was big day for Kolby Green who took out the Shirley Marky Award and the Neville Diamond Most Promising Junior Trophy.
Yeppoon 30 (Jack Howarth 2, Kolby Green 2, Cooper Matty, Izacc Jackson tries; Riley Webster, Oliver Jack, Bailey Querro goals) def Emu Park 18 (Fred McKinley, Lionel Mann, Tennessen Brown tries; Jett McCarthy, Tristan Butcher, Lionel Mann goals)
THE Rockhampton and District Junior Rugby League would like to thank its sponsors for the grand finals, Rockhampton Leagues Club, Rockhampton Senior Rugby League, The Brisbane Broncos, The NQ Cowboys and Amart All Sports.
We would also like to thank the Rockhampton Referee Association for their continued hard work with having games fully serviced by Officials, this year has seen some very good young referees take to the field and it is a very good sign for the future with a number of the young referees getting more older age group games.
To all the volunteers, thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2015.
