This year’s Rockhampton Junior Rugby League season kicked off on Friday night and the players did not disappoint with some outstanding games played.
In Rockhampton, the ‘International Rules’ junior season always starts early due to the Rockhampton Schoolboys competition commencing in Term 3.
In the Under 13 age group, four sides have started off well with Cap Coast Brothers getting the better of Norths.
In other matches, Brothers White defeated Fitzroy, Brothers Blue started strongly against Gracemere and the Tigers got the early points against Yeppoon.
The Under 14 age group has a new team with the Woorabinda Warriors commencing in the RDJRL, and they took on last year’s premiers.
Despite putting in a spirted performance, they were no match for the reigning premiers.
Last year’s runners-up started strongly with a good win over Norths whilst Yeppoon were able to shut out the Tigers.
The Under 15 grand final replay did not disappoint when Brothers Blue hosted Gracemere.
In a very tough and tight affair, both sides traded points and when Gracemere scored with five minutes remaining, including a great side line conversation, they held the advantage 18-16.
Brothers had one final raid and with a grubber kick just rolling into touch Gracemere held on to take the Round 1 points.
Norths had a strong first round taking the points against Cap Coast and Yeppoon were too strong for Tigers.
The Norths Under 16 side is looking to go one better than last year and started strongly with a tough win over a combined Cap Coast Brothers/Rockhampton Tigers team.
Woorabinda had its first game against Brothers Blue and even though they couldn’t get the points against a strong outfit, they never gave up and showed true sportsmanship at the end of the game asking if an injured Brothers player was alright and wishing him a speeding recovery.
The Under 18 competition started with CQ Capras Mal Meninga players available.
Cap Coast Brothers started the season strongly running over the top of the Norths White side whilst Emu Park made it a good start with a strong win over Yeppoon.
In the final match of the round, Norths got the points taking a four-point win over Brothers Blue in a grand final rematch.
With the Capras starting trials next week, all sides need to get early points to be in contention come finals time.
The RDJRL would like to thank the Rockhampton Referees Association for covering all games.
We would also like to congratulate Peter Killoran, the mini/mod referee coordinator, who will be heading off to his seventh-straight NRL Masters carnival later this year.
Killoran has been the backbone of developing junior referees in the area and should be congratulated on his achievements.
ROUND 1 RESULTS
Under 13
Cap Coast Brothers 58 defeated Norths 0
Brothers White 36 defeated Fitzroy 6
Brothers Blue 54 defeated Gracemere 0
Tigers 26 defeated Yeppoon 0
Under 14
Cap Coast Brothers 32 defeated Norths 10
Brothers Blue 44 defeated Woorabinda 6
Yeppoon 32 defeated Tigers 0
Under 15
Norths 36 defeated Cap Coast Brothers 20
Gracemere 18 defeated Brothers Blue 12
Yeppoon 34 defeated Tigers 0
Under 16
Norths 16 defeated Cap Coast/Tigers 8
Brothers Blue 42 defeated Woorabinda 0
Under 18
Cap Coast Brothers 20 defeated Norths White 6
Norths Blue 18 defeated Brothers Blue 14
Emu Park 28 defeated Yeppoon 4
