Statewide score wrap: Mates help mates in the highlands
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A strong show of camaraderie has signalled the return of the Central Highlands A Grade women’s competition, as the Blackwater Crushettes and Emerald Tigers joined forces for Round 1.
The Fair Dinkum Fresh Women’s Premiership kicked off with a bang on Saturday, March 26, with the Bluff Rabbitohs notching up a stunning 62-0 victory over Emerald Brothers in the opening game of the season.
Blackwater then snagged the second win of the day, defeating Emerald Tigers 36-8, but it wasn’t just their performance which earned them admirers.
Due to the nature of this year’s revived competition – and the working obligations of those involved – the Tigers only had 11 players on the day.
The Crushettes agreed to also play with 11 and then, when the Tigers suffered four game-ending injuries in the opening stanza, Blackwater lent them a number of players so the game could continue.
It was a case of mate against mate.
Blackwater vice president Brendan Fuller said it was a no-brainer to assist the Tigers in whatever way they could, because it was important to show the region that women’s rugby league will be a success.
“It’s more about trying to get this competition to flourish and stay above board,” Fuller said.
“We ended up lending a couple of players to them and that way both teams were able to see out a full game.
“This was our first go of bringing the women’s competition back to the Central Highlands. There was a lot of excitement about it.”
The region has struggled in recent years to secure the player numbers for the four-team competition to go ahead.
Just last year, Blackwater had to take part in the Rockhampton women’s league due to the absence of a Central Highlands competition.
But this year, they are determined to make it work and have also introduced an under 15s girls' competition in a bid to strengthen the pathways for the female game.
Fuller said this pathway has been missing in the past and despite a strong debut season of the women’s competition in 2015, the lack of girls coming through the system has halted any progress.
However, with the 15s now up and running – and future goals of introducing an under 17s competition and a bridge between under 12s and 15s – the Central Highlands are hopeful this women’s competition will only go from strength to strength.
But, in the meantime, it’s important to show women in the region why they should take part.
Fuller said registrations for the women’s teams would remain open for the foreseeable future and they hoped to see the numbers grow.
“We want to maintain and have a healthy league out here and it’s definitely possible,” Fuller said.
“For our men, we’ve got good numbers and are able to be a bit more stringent but with our women, we are open to as many registrations as possible.
“We’re branching out and having conversations with local women and those around town who enjoy fitness and active lifestyles. There are people who may not have been confident enough to walk up to training.
“We’re building as much as we can.
“A lot of the locals like watching it. Us personally at the club, all of us on the committee are thrilled to have them and to watch them develop. We’re very committed to making it work.”
Full scores and information for all Queensland A Grade competitions are below.
South East region
BRL Premier A Grade
Round 1 Results
Bulimba Bulldogs 40 def Carina Tigers 12
Souths Junior Magpies 24 def Normanby Hounds 10
Beenleigh Pride 20 def Wynnum Juniors 18
Wests Brisbane Panthers 14 def Valleys Diehards 4
Brighton Roosters 30 def Pine Rivers Bears 8
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bulimba Bulldogs | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 3 |
| 2 | Brighton Roosters | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 3 |
| 3 | Souths Junior Magpies | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 3 |
| 4 | Wests Brisbane Panthers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 |
| 5 | Beenleigh Pride | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 6 | Wynnum Juniors | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 1 |
| 7 | Valleys Diehards | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -10 | 1 |
| 8 | Normanby Hounds | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -14 | 1 |
| 9 | Pine River Bears | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -22 | 1 |
| 10 | Carina Tigers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -28 | 1 |
QTOP Premiership - Gold Coast
Round 1 Results
Burleigh Bears 20 def Southport Tigers 18
Ormeau Shearers 42 def Helensvale Hornets 10
Runaway Bay Seagulls 20 def Currumbin Eagles 4
Tugun Seahawks 22 def Mudgeeraba Redbacks 20
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ormeau Shearers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 3 |
| 2 | Runaway Bay Seagulls | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 |
| 3 | Tugun Seahawks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | Burleigh Bears | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 5 | Southport Tigers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 1 |
| 6 | Mudgeeraba Redbacks | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 1 |
| 7 | Currumbin Eagles | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -16 | 1 |
| 8 | Helensvale Hornets | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -32 | 1 |
Central region
4BU/HITZ FM Bundaberg A Grade Premiership
Round 1 Results
Waves Tigers 22 drew Hervey Bay Seagulls 22
Easts Magpies 56 def Wallaroo Maryborough 18
Past Brothers Bundaberg 36 def Wests Panthers 26
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Easts Magpies | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 2 |
| 2 | Past Brothers Bundaberg | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| 3 | Hervey Bay Seagulls | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Waves Tigers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | Wests Panthers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -10 | 0 |
| 6 | Wallaroo Maryborough | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -38 | 0 |
Central Highlands Fair Dinkum Fresh Women’s Premiership
Round 1 Results
Bluff Rabbitohs 62 def Emerald Brothers 0
Blackwater Crushettes 36 def Emerald Tigers 8
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bluff Rabbitohs | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 2 |
| 2 | Blackwater Crushettes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 2 |
| 3 | Emerald Tigers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -28 | 0 |
| 4 | Emerald Brothers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -62 | 0 |
North region
CDRL A Grade
Round 1 Results
Innisfail Brothers 26 def Atherton Roosters 10
Southern Suburbs Cockatoos 26 def Mareeba Gladiators 24
Mossman Sharks 72 def Yarrabah Seahawks 12
Cairns Kangaroos 40 def Edmonton Storm 28
Cairns Brothers 64 def Tully Tigers 4
Bye: Ivanhoe Knights
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mossman Sharks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 2 |
| 2 | Cairns Brothers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 2 |
| 3 | Innisfail Brothers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 |
| 4 | Cairns Kangaroos | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| 5 | Southern Suburbs | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 | Ivanhoe Knights | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Mareeba Gladiators | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 0 |
| 8 | Edmonton Storm | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -12 | 0 |
| 9 | Atherton Roosters | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -16 | 0 |
| 10 | Yarrabah Seahawks | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -60 | 0 |
| 11 | Tully Tigers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -60 | 0 |
Competitions yet to kick off
A Grade Premiership – Ipswich
Starts: April 2-3
Teams: To be finalised
South East Queensland Women
Starts: April 30-May 1
Teams: To be finalised
Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba Men’s Premiership
Starts: April 2-3
Teams: Dalby Diehards, Gatton Hawks, Goondiwindi Boars, Highfields Eagles, Newtown Lions, Oakey Bears, Pittsworth Danes, Southern Suburbs Tigers, Toowoomba Brothers, Valleys Roosters, Warwick Cowboys, Wattles Warriors
Toowoomba Sports Club Women's Premiership
Starts: April 2-3
Teams: Dalby Diehards, Gatton Hawks, Goondiwindi Boars, Highfields Eagles, Newtown Lions, Oakey Bears, Pittsworth Danes, Toowoomba Brothers, Valleys Roosters
Maudsley Excavations Cup Men - Sunshine Coast
Starts: Saturday, April 2
Teams: Beerwah Bulldogs, Caboolture Snakes, Caloundra Sharks, Gympie Devils, Kawana Dolphins, Maroochydore Swans, Nambour Crushers, Noosa Pirates
Maudsley Excavations Cup Women – Sunshine Coast
Starts: Saturday, April 2
Teams: Beerwah Bulldogs, Caboolture Snakes, Caloundra Sharks, Gympie Devils, Kawana Dolphins, Nambour Crushers, Noosa Pirates
Rockhampton Rugby League
Starts: April 1-3
Teams: Bileola Panthers, Emu Park Emus, Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks, Gladstone Brothers, Gladstone Wallaby RLFC, Norths Chargers, Rockhampton Brothers, Tannum Sand Seagulls, Yeppoon Seagulls
Rockhampton Rugby League Women’s
Starts: TBC
Teams: Emu Park Emus, Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks, Gladstone Wallabys, Norths Chargers, Rockhampton Brothers, Tannum Sands Seagulls, Yeppoon Seagulls
Central Highlands Emerald Industrial Supplies Men's Premiership
Starts: Friday, April 1
Teams: Blackwater Crushers, Bluff Rabbitohs, Clermont Bears, Dysart Bulls, Emerald Brothers, Emerald Tigers, Middlemount Panthers, Springsure Mountain Men
Northern Districts Rugby League
Starts: April 8-10
Teams: To be finalised
South Burnett Rugby League
Starts: TBC
Teams: To be finalised
Central Burnett Rugby League
Starts: Saturday, April 23
Teams: To be finalised
Roma and District Rugby League
Starts: April 9-10
Teams: Chinchilla Bulldogs, Miles Devils, Mitchell Magpies, Roma Cities Gladiators, Saint George & Wallumbilla Surat Red Bulls, Western Ringers
Central West Rugby League
Starts: April 22-24
Teams: To be finalised
Mackay Men’s
Starts: April 2-3
Teams: To be finalised
Mackay Women's
Starts: April 2-3
Teams: To be finalised
Townsville and District Rugby League Men’s
Starts: TBC
Teams: To be finalised
Townsville and District Rugby League Women
Starts: Saturday, April 2
Teams: Burdekin Roosters, Centrals ASA Tigers, Charters Towers Miners, Herbert River Crushers, Norths Devils, Townsville Brothers, Western Lions
Mount Isa Rugby League
Starts: April 23-24
Teams: To be finalised
Mount Isa Rugby League Women's
Starts: April 23-24
Teams: To be finalised
