Statewide score wrap: Gold Coast chase fairytale farewell

Loyal Gold Coast Vikings manager Simon Lyons will this weekend say farewell to his beloved representative side after 15 years of service – but not before one last trip to Townsville in pursuit of a state championship.

The Gold Coast will face off against their Northern rivals in the XXXX League Championship final this Saturday, in what is a slight case of déjà vu for Lyons.

Since starting with the Vikings in 2007, Lyons has been witness to a number of great successes and heartbreaks, but none more satisfying than when the Gold Coast won the state championship in 2010 against Townsville.

It was also played in North Queensland and it’s the only state championship the Vikings have won in Lyons’ time as manager.

He said that game – as well as the XXXX Cup National Final against Illawarra that followed – were his highlights with the Gold Coast.

“It was 12 years ago … I remember we were the winners down this way and the next move was to fly to Townsville,” Lyons said.

“It was a very, very tough game, but we ended up prevailing in the end.

“One of the guys we played against, his girlfriend was sitting at our table at dinner … she organised for us to go to the Mad Cow (Tavern) in Townsville which was legendary.

“That was a very, very big night. We won that and then we played the curtain raiser to State of Origin II at Suncorp Stadium in 2010 in the national final. It was the best of Queensland and New South Wales.

“We played Illawarra and got beaten, but that was a hell of an experience. Wally Lewis came into our changing rooms before we were about to go on. It was a really good experience.

“The highlight was obviously winning the state championship. I don’t celebrate losses that well.

“But I’ve had plenty of highlights throughout all of this. I’ve met some wonderful people, had some great kids in the teams I’ve been part of.

“They’ve been very few bad buggers that I’ve met in my journey. A good 90 per cent-plus have been just awesome.”

Lyons, who grew up playing rugby union, first became involved in rugby league when his sons took up the game as youngsters.

He also held roles in committees and on Rugby League Gold Coast boards, but it was his manager position that he loved the most.

He has decided to step away to spend more time with his kids and grandkids and also knew that the potential of going out on a high, with a XXXX League Championship title, was the best way to say goodbye.

With his old state championship jacket still a favourite to wear around town and to work, he was definitely hoping for an upgrade.

“That’s one reason why I decided it was time,” Lyons said.

“Hopefully we can go up there, get that done. That would be a great way to finish … but not everyone gets the fairytale, that’s for sure.

“This team, they’ve shown their potential. We are the current SEQ champs and one more step forward, we could be the state champs.

“They can do it. They just have to believe in themselves, listen to what the coach has to say. They can do it, that’s for sure. They’re very gifted players.”

As for a repeat trip to the Mad Cow?

“Oh, hell yes,” Lyons said.

“Hopefully for celebratory drinks, but if it has to be the other way around, I’m sure we’ll cop it. I’ve told all the boys we’ll be going to the Mad Cow and to get ready for it.”

Full scores and information for all Queensland A Grade competitions for the weekend July 22-24 are below.

South East region

BRL Premier A Grade

Round 15 results 

Carina Tigers 60 def Souths Junior 22
Bulimba Bulldogs 28 drew Beenleigh Pride 28
Valleys Diehards 38 def Normanby Hounds 24
Wynnum Juniors 30 def Brighton Roosters 22
Wests Brisbane Panthers 34 def Pine Rivers Bears 22

QTOP Premiership - Gold Coast

Round 15 was postponed due to weather. 

Ladder as it stands after Round 14.

A Grade Premiership – Ipswich

Round 14 results

Redbank Plains Bears 30 def Fassifern Bombers 24
Swifts Bluebirds 48 def Norths Tigers 36
Brothers Ipswich 54 def Goodna Eagles 16

South East Women's Holcim Cup

Round 11 results

Valleys Diehards 22 def Ormeau Shearers 4
Wynnum Juniors 30 def Runaway Bay Seagulls 16
Goodna Eagles def Waterford/Logan Brothers (forfeit)

Central region

4BU/HITZ FM Bundaberg A Grade Premiership

Round 6 (replay of postponed round)

Maryborough Wallaroos 48 def East Magpies 18
Bundaberg Past Brothers 46 def West Panthers 12
Waves Tigers 12 def Hervey Bay Seagulls 6

Central Highlands Fair Dinkum Fresh Women’s Premiership

Bye round

Ladder as it stands after Round 11

Central Highlands Emerald Industrial Supplies Men's Premiership

Semi-finals

Springsure Mountain Men 28 def Emerald Tigers 26
Dysart Bulls 28 def Clermont Bears 10

Springsure and Clermont advance to next weekend's semi-final. Dysart advance to the grand final.

Ladder following regular season.

Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba Men’s Premiership

Round 14 results

Gatton Hawks 16 def Warwick Cowboys 12
Wattles Warriors 56 def Pittsworth Danes 4
Goondiwindi Boars 60 def Southern Suburbs Tigers 6
Oakey Bears 80 def Newtown Lions 6
Toowoomba Valleys Roosters 38 def Toowoomba Brothers 16
Highfields Eagles 32 def Dalby Diehards 6

Toowoomba Sports Club Women's Premiership

Round 14 results

Highfields Eagles 22 def Dalby Diehards 8
Goondiwindi Boars def Pittsworth Danes (forfeit)
Newtown Lions 22 def Oakey Bears 8
Toowoomba Valleys Roosters 40 def Toowoomba Brothers 6
Byes:

Ladder has not been updated. Table below is as it stands after Round 12.

Maudsley Excavations Cup Men - Sunshine Coast

Round 14 results

Noosa Pirates 34 def Caboolture Snakes 4
Maroochydore Swans 50 def Kawana Dolphins 0
Caloundra Sharks 33 def Beerwah Bulldogs 32
Cancelled: Gympie Devils v Nambour Crushers

Maudsley Excavations Cup Women – Sunshine Coast

Round 14 results

Caboolture Snakes 38 def Noosa Pirates 10
Caloundra Sharks 54 def Beerwah Bulldogs 6
Cancelled: Gympie Devils v Nambour Crushers
Bye: Kawana Dolphins

Rockhampton Rugby League

Round 13 results

Norths Chargers 44 def Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks 18
Rockhampton Brothers 24 def Emu Park Emus 20
Yeppoon Seagulls 68 def Gladstone Valleys Diehards 8
Postponed: Brothers Gladstone v Tannum Sands Seagulls

Rockhampton Rugby League Women’s

Round 13 results

Gladstone Wallaby RLFC 26 def Tannum Sands Seagulls 8
Rockhampton Brothers 30 def Emu Park Emus 16
Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks 92 def Norths Chargers 10
Bye: Yeppoon Seagulls

Northern District Rugby League

Round 5 (replay of a postponed round)

Gin Gin Hawks 44 def South Kolan Sharks 38
Miriam Vale Magpies 26 def Avondale Tigers 18

Central West Rugby League

Bye round

Roma and District Rugby League

Round 13 scores TBC

Ladder as it stands after Round 12

South Burnett Rugby League

Round 11 postponed

Ladder as it stands after Round 10.

Central Burnett Rugby League

Round 7 results

Monto Roos 42 def Mundubbera Tigers 30
Bye: Gayndah Gladiators

North region

CDRL A Grade

Round 15 results

Edmonton Storm 34 def Yarrabah Seahawks 32
Innisfail Brothers 48 def Cairns Kangaroos 20
Mossman Sharks 76 def Mareeba Gladiators 22
Southern Suburbs Cockatoos 40 def Ivanhoe Knights 32
Cairns Brothers 22 def Atherton Roosters 14
Bye: Tully Tigers

Mackay Men

Round 13 results

Sarina Crocs 48 def Moranbah Miners 12
Carltons Devils 30 def Whitsunday Brahmans 14
Wests Tigers 30 def Souths Sharks 12
Mackay Magpies 16 def Mackay Brothers 14

Mackay Women

Round 13 results

Mackay Brothers 18 def Mackay Magpies 4
Bye: Carltons Devils
No score submitted: Sarina Crocs v Moranbah Miners

Townsville District Rugby League Men

Round 13 results

Townsville Brothers 32 def Centrals ASA Tigers 12
Burdekin Roosters 16 def Herbert River Crushers 10
Charters Towers Miners 42 def Norths Devils 30
Bye: Western Lions

Townsville District Rugby League Women

Round 13 results

Centrals ASA Tigers 34 def Townsville Brothers 12
Norths Devils 12 def Charter Towners Miners 10
Burdekin Roosters 24 def Herbert River Crushers 12
Bye: Western Lions

Completed seasons

Mount Isa Rugby League

Grand final

Mt Isa Wanderers 28 def Mt Isa Townies 16

Mount Isa Rugby League Women

Grand final

Mt Isa Wranglers 36 def Mt Isa Brothers 0