Hooker Tim Cole bagged a double as reigning champions Past Brothers roared into title contention by bursting the Easts Magpies bubble, ending their eight-match winning streak with a stunning 38-22 boil-over in their Rugby League Bundaberg Broadcasters A Grade Premiership penultimate round showdown at Salter Oval on Saturday.
The Magpies already had the minor premiership secure, but for the Brethren, they remained third on the ladder but sealed a top-three finish and a qualifying final berth against Wests Panthers, who bounced back from their shock loss to Waves Tigers a week earlier to clinch second place by outgunning their hosts Hervey Bay Seagulls 26-18 at Stafford Park.
In the early game at Salter Oval, Waves were unable to back up their performance in upsetting Wests, starting poorly against cellar dwellers Wallaroos to fall behind 12-0 after 10 minutes and paying the price, ultimately going down 38-32.
For Brothers, inspirational captain and front rower Kevin Sherriff, in just his second game back after suffering a fractured cheek bone playing for Bundaberg in the 47th Battalion Carnival on the May Day weekend, and was among their try scorers, said they “played (their) best game of footy all year at the right time of the year” to take a 26-0 half-time lead.
Tim Cole was Man of the Match, with flashy Papua New Guinean winner Benaiah Kambanei taking out their Players’ Player award.
For Wests, high-class centre Dyirun Johnson notched a double, also in only his third game back after being out for two months due to injury, while another feature was powerhouse under-18 forward Flynn Purkis grabbing his first A Grade try in just his second appearance in top grade.
Waves stay in fifth place, and while they are now just two points in front of Wallaroos, who snapped a six-game losing streak, they have a points differential of -39 to Roos’ -134, and will retain that position and the last berth in the finals unless they suffer a massive loss to Brothers next Saturday and Roos beat Seagulls by an improbable margin, big enough to edge out the Tigers.
In Reserve Grade, Easts will go into their last-round showdown with Wests with a two-point lead over Wallaroos after centre Chris Larsen chalked up a double as they outclassed Brothers 24-6 on Saturday, while in Under-18, for Wests, who wrapped up the minor title a few weeks earlier, it was business as usual with winger Kade Forrester featuring with two four-pointers in a 28-10 romp against Roos.
AFL
Dylan Keam and Ben Davis both kicked two goals as hosts Brothers Bulldogs threw down the gauntlet to Bay Power in their Wide Bay Marquis Macadamias Seniors Premiership showdown on Saturday, in search of their first win of the season, but alas, after leading at every change, including by 21 points at three-quarter time, they were held scoreless in the last term and were over-run 7.14 (56) to 7.6 (48).
It was another bad day for the Bundaberg teams with reigning champions Across The Waves also losing at home at Frank Coulthard Oval, trailing throughout and suffering their fourth loss from as many clashes with the all conquering Hervey Bay in 2021, 13.12 (90) to 5.5 (35), with Lucas Hodgetts kicking five majors for the Bombers to single-handedly match the Eagles’ team tally.
FOOTBALL
Golden Boot leader Nykodah Smith notched another double as Across The Waves (ATW) powered on at the top of the Premier League Men’s table with a 4-1 victory over Brothers-Aston Villa (BAV) on Saturday, taking his season haul to 29 in 13 games.
But Villa again slipped out of the top four, displaced by 2020 grand final victors United Park Eagles (UPE), who white-washed battlers Diggers 6-0, with Josh Adcock leading the charge with a hat-trick of goals.
Nykodah had his lead in the Goal Total race reduced to three over another sharpshooter Gary O’Donnell who struck three times as Bingera consolidated third place with a 5-0 shut-out of KSS Jets, continuing his white-hot streak after netting three and four respectively in their previous two matches.
In the Women’s Premier League, Sunbury Blues consolidated top spot with a 9-0 white-wash of Granville, while fourth placed ATW were held to a 1-1 draw by fifth seeds Bingera.
HOCKEY
Lachlan McLennan ran hot for Waves Cities against Raiders/Rovers in Bundaberg Hockey at Hinkler Park on the weekend, bagging a hat-trick in their 6-2 victory in Division 2 Men’s on Friday night and hammering in a further four goals in a 10-0 Division 1 white-wash on Saturday afternoon.
Cities also marched on in their Division 1 Women’s title defence with a 3-1 dispatch of Raiders/Rovers.
Arrows/Athletics also picked up the Division 1 double against All Blacks, with Malanie Stehbens doubling up as their Women got home 5-2, before Martin Green also struck twice in their Men’s 5-1 triumph.
NETBALL
With Bundaberg Netball Warren Family Homes Division 1 Premiership games rescheduled due to the QPL in Yeppoon, Division 2 took centre-stage at the Superpark on Saturday, and it was Alloway’s time to shine.
Their Red side accounted for their White 38-24 in the intra-club duel, while Alloway Green overpowered Natives Swans 50-35, with Natives Eagles pipping Waves Purple 36-35 in the remaining match.
Here are all the scores:
AFL WIDE BAY
MARQUIS MACADAMIAS SENIORS PREMIERSHIP
Hervey Bay Bombers 3.4, 7.8, 9.11, 13.12 (90) d Across The Waves 1.1, 2.2, 3.3, 5.5 (35).
HERVEY BAY BOMBERS – Goal Kickers: L. Hodgetts 5, D. Rowe 2, J. Challies 2, J. Andrew, T. Baldwin, B. Holland, J. O’Connell. Best Players: J. Andrew, C. Baker, C. Issa, B. Richards, D. Johnstone, L. Hodgetts
ACROSS THE WAVES – Goal Kickers: Michael Blair 2, Damian McRae, Nathan Van Eekeren, Travis Esmer. Best Players: Josh Hayhoe, Michael Blair, Tyson Jater, Codey Enever, Damian McRae, Dan Baker.
Bay Power 0.1, 3.5, 3.9, 7.14 (56) d Brothers Bulldogs 4.3, 5.3, 7.6, 7.6 (48).
BAY POWER – Goal Kickers: M. Schlein 2, J. Wheeler 2, J. Fredericks, T. Heard, J. Stothard. Best Players: T. Burch, L. Williams, J. Stothard, J. Wheeler, M. Schlein, R. McCormack
BROTHERS BULLDOGS – Goal Kickers: Dylan Keam 2, Ben Davis 2, Mitchell Badrick, Guy Rivett, Tristan Taylor. Best Players: Joel Saunders, Zane Trigg, Ashley Franklin, Jefferson Baulch, Harry Hodgson, Ben Davis.
RESERVES
Bay Power 3.5, 5.8, 8.10, 9.12 (66) d Brothers Bulldogs 2.0, 4.0, 4.1, 7.1 (43).
BAY POWER – Goal Kickers: K. Bugeja 3, J. Fredericks 3, H. Masson, B. Fredericks, H. Salisbury. Best Players: C. Miles, K. Bugeja, M. Benich, A. Easton, M. Guy, H. Salisbury
BROTHERS BULLDOGS – Goal Kickers: Shane Brady 2, Jon Hosford 2, Joel Fry 2, Ethan Charlesworth. Best Players: Gary Browne, Matthew Wattie, Jon Hosford, Paul Timms, Anthony Garland, Andrew Wattie.
Hervey Bay Bombers 0.5, 3.8, 8.10, 11.13 (79) d Maryborough 0.0, 0.0, 0.1, 1.2 (8).
UNDER-14
Hervey Bay Bombers 8.5 (53) d Bay Power 4.4 (28).
Across The Waves 8.6 (54) d Brothers Bulldogs 5.2 (32).
UNDER-12
Brothers Bulldogs 4.9 (33) d Hervey Bay Bombers Red 4.6 (30).
Hervey Bay Bombers Black 21.17 (60) d Across The Waves 0.0 (0).
FOOBALL WIDE BAY
PREMIER LEAGUE MEN
BINGERA 5 (Gary O’Donnell 3, Daniel Watson, Joel Haack) d KSS JETS 0.
GRANVILLE 4 d SUNBURY BLUES 2.
ATW 4 (Nykodah Smith 2, Nicholas Chatfield, Corey Leggett) d BAV 1.
UPE 6 (Josh Adcock 3, Luke Darcy, Luke Coates, Anthony Grant) d DIGGERS 0
DOON VILLA 8 d SC CORINTHIANS 1 (Josh Lunnon).
PREMIER LEAGUE WOMEN
BINGERA 1 drew ATW 1 (Zoe Sobczak).
SUNBURY BLUES 9 d GRANVILLE 0.
RESERVES MEN
GRANVILLE 2 drew SUNBURY BLUES 2.
ATW 3 (Aden Russo, Alec Rohdmann, Mitchell Aslett) d BARGARA 1 (own goal).
UPE 8 (Cody Pym 4, Asher Markey 2, Jayden Pym, Finlay Bath) d DIGGERS 0.
UNITED WARRIORS 3 d FRASER FLAMES 2.
SC CORINTHIANS 2 (William Osborne, Khoen Wenzel) d DOONA VILLA 1.
MEN’S DIVISION 1 NORTH
UPE RED 2 (Fionn Houston 2) drew UPE GREEN 2 (Scott Bretag, Roger Hunter).
BINGERA 1 (Brad Weymouth) d SC CORINTHIANS 0.
ATW 3 (Lachlan Brown 2, Brenton Catasti) d DIGGERS 0.
BAV 7 (Ethan Elsmore 2, Jesse Sommer 2, Pauly Spencer, Matthew Williams, Casey Smith) d GIN GIN 1.
WOMEN’S DIVISION 1 NORTH
DIGGERS 2 (Heidi Walk 2) d ATW DEVELOPMENT 0.
UPE 1 (Taylor Stumer) drew SC CORINTHIANS 1 (Kalani Irwin).
UNDER-14 NORTH
DIGGERS 3 d SC CORINTHIANS 0.
ATW SAINTS 22 (Tino Giovannoni 6, Noah Briggs 3, Matthew Grima 3, Ryan Hack 3, Kalym Sengstock 2, Casey Simpson 2, Nathan Saffioti 2, Ryan Zandona) d GIN GIN 0.
UPE RED 2 (Cohen Palmer, Noah Smith) d BINGERA 1 (Cameron Manski).
UNDER-13 NORTH
BARGARA 4 (Aleki Morris 2, Zayden Busby, Flynn Schiffke) d BINGERA 0.
UPE 2 (Riley Bennier) d BAV VILLIANS 0.
UNDER-12 NORTH
BARGARA STINGRAYS 3 (Zephaniah Spencer, Archer Morgan, Max Shuttleworrth) d GIN GIN 1.
SC CORINTHIANS 3 (Lincoln Law 2, Ethan Lambert) d BARGARA HAMMERHEADS 2 (Ryan Turner).
ATW 5 (Tariq Munkayilar-Moore 5) d DIGGERS 1 (Caolan Craven-Hughes).
BINGERA 9 (Cale Stayte 5, Zayde Kitching 2, Brayden Jenner, Tayin Ogilvie) d UPE 0.
HOCKEY BUNDABERG
U11s
Raiders Rovers 2 (Silvana Silvestro 2) defeated Waves Cities 0
Arrows Athletics 5 (Hamish Cook 2, Eddie Rayner 3) defeated All Blacks 0
U13s
Waves Cities 5 (Riley Vowles 1, Sophie Aitkenhead 1, Gabi Aitkenhead 1, Ava McCaig 2) defeated Raiders Rovers 1 (Levi Kendall 1)
Arrows Athletics 4 (Bridie Stehbens 1, Tully Dorgan 3) defeated All Blacks 1 (Steven Lane 1)
U16s
Raiders Rovers 3 (Bayley Fagg 1, Riley Howard 2) defeated Waves Cities 1 (Gabi Aitkenhead 1)
Arrows Athletics 10 (Sam Kenny 1, Julie Munro 1, Ben Smith 3, Jake McCaig 5) defeated All Blacks 1 (Kalen Wilke 1)
Div 2 Women
Raiders Rovers 5 (Amanda Wightman 1, Susan Kendall 1, Jasmine Fagg 1, Kerri-Anne Lund 2) defeated Waves Cities 3 (Angela Asnicar 1, Milee Flanders 1, Kylie Consen 1)
Arrows Athletics 1 (Hayley Kleidon 1) defeated All Blacks 0
Div 1 Women
Waves Cities 3 (Anna Smith 1, Ella McCaig 1, Kristine Flanders 1) defeated Raiders Rovers 1 (Amanda Wightman 1)
Arrows Athletics 5 (Malanie Stehbens 2, Shauna Mark 3) defeated All Blacks 2 (Leah McLaren 1, Kayla Osborn 1)
Div 2 Men
Waves Cities Double Header Weekend:
Waves Cities 2 (Adam Lovett 2) defeated Arrows Athletics 1 (Keith Scherer 1)
Waves Cities 6 (Malcolm Lindsay 1, Cooper Bengston 2, Lachlan McLennan 3) defeated Raiders Rovers 2 (Matthew Darr 1, Joshua Crow 1)
Div 1 Men
Waves Cities 10 (Lewis Dexter 1, Matthew Quaite 2, Joel Latham 3, Lachlan McLennan 4) defeated Raiders Rovers 0
Arrows Athletics 5 (Liam Dorgan 1, Harrison Gardiner 1, Keith Scherer 1, Martin Green 2) defeated All Blacks 1 (Trent Peardon 1)
NETBALL BUNDABERG
WARREN FAMILY HOMES DIVISION 2 PREMIERSHIP
ALLOWAY RED 38 d ALLOWAY WHITE 24; ALLOWAY GREEN 50 d NATIVES SWANS 35; NATIVES EAGLES 36 d WAVES PURPLE 35.
DIVISION 3
NATIVES ROSELLAS 30 d BROTHERS LIGHTNING 21; WAVES ROYALS 32 d BROTHERS THUNDER 29.
DIVISION 4
ALLOWAY YELLOW 32 d BROTHERS MONSOONS 24; BROTHERS TWISTERS 44 d NATIVES PARROTS 37.
DIVISION 5
WAVES AQUA 33 d ALLOWAY MAROON 28; WAVES PINK 43 d NATIVES KOOKABURRAS 34; NATIVES FIREBIRDS 27 d FUSION MAGIC SULTANS 19.
DIVISION 6
BROTHERS STORM 41 d WAVES SILVER 36; WAVES SAPPHIRES 39 d NATIVES PEACOCKS 38.
DIVISION 7
BROTHERS WILDFIRES 52 d NATIVES LORIKEETS 11; ALLOWAY AQUA 31 d BROTHERS WHIRLWINDS 18.
DIVISION 8
BROTHERS TYPHOONS 39 d WAVES DIAMONDS 26; ALLOWAY EMERALDS 33 d FUSION DANS AUTO ELITE 26.
DIVISION 9
NATIVES KINGFISHERS 32 d FUSION SANDHILLS 10; BROTHERS VOLCANOES 20 d ALLOWAY PURPLE 10.
DIVISION 10
BROTHERS TORNADOES 20 d ALLOWAY GOLD 4; ALLOWAY LAVENDER 18 d NATIVES HAWKS 4; FUSION FORCE 24 d WAVES TEAL 9.
RUGBY LEAGUE BUNDABERG
BUNDABERG BROADCASTERS A GRADE PREMIERSHIP
WALLAROOS 38 (Riley Rehren, Lochlan Greenfield, Shaun Collins, Bailey Robertson, Joel Cox, Darcy Schofield tries; Bailey Eckert 5 goals) d WAVES TIGERS 32 (Reece Maughan 2, Jobe Lister, Mitchell Trims, Coby Gibbs, Jack Roelofs tries; Layton Chambers 4 goals).
PAST BROTHERS 38 (Tim Cole 2, Ben Schrader, Klinton Beer, Benaiah Kambanei, Zak Bainbridge, Kevin Sherriff tries; Zak Bainbridge 5 goals) d EASTS MAGPIES 22 (Andreas Nona 2, Dylan Taylor, Tyrell Howard tries; Matt Craven 3 goals).
WESTS PANTHERS 26 (Dyirun Johnson 2, Chris Robinson, Tyson Douglas, Flynn Purkis tries; Gage Laird 2, Shaun Ezzy goals) d HERVEY BAY SEAGULLS 18 (Logona Vetemotu 2, Mitchell Laughton, Isaac Mielczarek tries; Mitchell Laughton goal).
RESERVE GRADE
EASTS MAGPIES 24 (Chris Larsen 2, Blake Aplitt, Keane Gooch, Tyrone Ward tries; Jackson Paulson 2 goals) d PAST BROTHERS 6 (Kale Johnson try; Brendon McKeown goal).
WALLAROOS 52 (Edward Booth 3, Zachary Iker 2, Kynan Watson 2, Archie Sullivan, Jorden Kemble, Tyrone Tanna tries; Kynan Watson 4, Zachary Iker, Jorden Kemble goals) d WAVES TIGERS 10 (Jesse Richardson 2 tries; Bailey Brown goal).
UNDER-18
WESTS PANTHERS 28 (Kade Forrester 2, Brad Clarke, Jesse Young, Sam Woodman, Kynan Hard tries; Kynan Hard, Zander Kerr goals) d WALLAROOS 10 (Ryder Cowie, Kyle Knight tries; Noah Dawson goal).
HERVEY BAY SEAGULLS d PAST BROTHERS ON FORFEIT.
BUNDABERG JUNIOR
UNDER-16
WESTS 20 (Ryan Bugeja 3, Cayleb Johnson 2 tries) d BROTHERS 18 (Junior Tuitoma 3 tries; Ezekiel Monckton 3 goals).
UNDER-15
WAVES 32 (Emmanuel Iboro 3, Thomas Morcom 2, Travis Collison tries; Thomas Morcom goal) d HERVEY BAY 10 (Ethan Hore, Jamall Nelson tries; Bailey Gensch goal).
BROTHERS 26 (Blake Powter, Kai Bayley, Joseph Doyle tries; Blake Powter 3 goals) d WESTS 0.
UNDER-14
HERVEY BAY 26 d WALLAROOS 4.
MAGPIES 44 (Bentley Rizzo 2, Robert Hadwen 2, Ryan Charteris, Seth Frazer 2, Jesse Powell tries; Robert Hadwen 4, James Goodman-Jones 2 goals) d WESTS 12 (Brody Lake tries; Darnell Saunders 2 goals).
WAVES 20 (Preston Walsh 2, Reghan Fischer tries; Preston Walsh 3, Jimmy Gear goals) d BROTHERS 18 (Kash Thomas, Ryan Bohl, Jomar Gustilo tries; Jomar Gustilo 3 goals).
UNDER-13
WALLAROOS 46 d HERVEY BAY 16.
WESTS 50 (Kyjuan Tanna, Lael Lampton, Will Forrester, Isaac Williams, Beau Molo tries; Luke Giles 4, Levi Brough goals) d BEASTY BEARS 0.
WAVES 56 (Parkka Perrotta-Dowling 3, Noah McGuire 2, Tahj Coates, Malae Langsiud tries; Parkka Perrotta-Dowling 3, Taj Plath 3, Tahj Coates 2 goals) d BROTHERS 4 (Boden White try).
