Sandow stars as Oaky Creek stake their claim

Former South Sydney and Parramatta halfback Chris Sandow has proven that despite hanging up the boots professionally, he's still got it - teasing fans with a scintillating masterclass at the Battle of the Mines in Clermont on Saturday.

Lining up for the Oaky Creek Gladiators in the annual tournament between mine sites in the Bowen Basin, Sandow played his hand in six tries, including three of his own to guide the Gladiators to a 58-22 victory over the Moranbah Mustangs in the decider.

The former Dally M Rookie of the Year wasn't the only former NRL star to pull the boots back on with past Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys half Grant Rovelli returning for his second year to complete the star-studded pairing.

The Gladiators narrowly got through the big dance with a 22-14 win over local favourites, the Link Mining Blair Athol All Stars before dominating in the game that counted.

Meanwhile, the Moranbah Mustangs earlier defeated the competition frontrunners, the Clermont Hunters, who were gunning for the three-peat after claiming the previous two titles.

It wasn't all bad news for Hunters fans though, with the Huntresses winning the inaugural Women's title, defeating the Grosvenor Gator Girls in the final.

Whilst the final figures are still being calculated, it's estimated more than $7000 has been raised for the RACQ CQ Helicopter Rescue Service from the profits of the carnival.

This includes the $1000 prize money generously donated back by the Gladiators and $2500 donated before the carnival by the All Stars.

The day also shone a light on mental health and wellbeing in the mining sector - promoting the Mates in Mining suicide prevention charity.

The Clermont Bears would like to thank the following sponsors for their generosity and look forward to next year's carnival: Komatsu, Hanwha, ESS, East Coast Diesel, TJ & J Madden, Comiskey, Comlek, Lanyonscapes, Kinnect, Pragmatic Thinking, Plumpton Engineering and Training, Fuchs, Expressway Spares, Gregory Fabrications, Clermont Carrying, Kestrel Mine, Modular Mining Systems, Workpac, Sharps Heavy Equipment, Beale's IGA and Lotta Lattes.

MEN'S RESULTS

Moranbah Mustangs 31 defeated Kestrel Rhinos 30
Clermont Hunters 42 defeated Grosvenor Gators 18
BA All Stars 26 defeated BMA Blackwater Vikings 16
Clermont Hunters 34 defeated BMA Blackwater Vikings 16
BA All Stars 22 defeated Grosvenor Gators 22 (first try-scorer)
Oaky Creek Gladiators 20 defeated Kestrel Rhinos 14
Oaky Creek Gladiators 20 defeated Moranbah Mustangs 20 (first try-scorer)
BMA Vikings 42 defeated Grosvenor Gators 10
Clermont Hunters 14 defeated BA All Stars 12

SF1: Oaky Creek Gladiators 22 defeated BA All Stars 14
SF2: Moranbah Mustangs 36 defeated Clermont Hunters 32
GF: Oaky Creek Gladiators 58 defeated Moranbah Mustangs 22

WOMEN'S RESULTS

Clermont Huntresses 16 defeated BMA Maidens 8
Kestrel Rhinos 14 defeated Grosvenor Gator Girls 4
BMA Maidens 8 defeated Kestrel Rhinos 4
Clermont Huntresses 22 defeated Grosvenor Gator Girls 16
Grosvenor Gator Girls 28 defeated BMA Maidens 18
Clermont Huntresses 20 defeated Kestrel Rhinos 4

GF: Clermont Huntresses 20 defeated Grosvenor Gator Girls 0

PLAYER AWARDS

Men's Most Valuable Player: Ben Breckon (Clermont Hunters)
Men's Defender of the Day: Daniel Kevill (Moranbah Mustangs)
Women's Most Valuable Player: Kailah Rogers (Clermont Huntresses)
Women's Defender of the Day: Tegan Rolfe (Clermont Huntresses)