Diehards go down on historic night in Jandowae

The first senior rugby league game in Jandowae for 54 years happened, when the Fish Hooks hosted the Dalby Diehards Friday night

SPECIAL NIGHT: Dalby Diehards and Jandowae Fish Hooks played the first game of senior rugby league in Jandowae for 54 years.

THE Dalby Diehards reserve grade suffered a hard fought loss in their first trial game of the year.

The Diehards went down 16-10 against the Jandowae Fish Hooks on Friday night, February 24.

An estimated 400 people turned out to the Jandowae Sports Oval for the first game of senior rugby league played in the town for 54 years.

Many Dalby locals made the journey out for the Diehards open trial game, and were treated to a high quality game of rugby league.

Diehards coach Kerry Carmichael was impressed with the standard of rugby league both teams displayed so early in the year.

"Basically as a spectator I just sat back,” Carmichael said.

"I thought it was a pretty high quality game.”

The trial was the first of several trials for the Diehards before the first match of the season proper on Saturday, March 25.

For Carmichael, he was pleased with the performance and there were many positives to take out of the loss.

"Most trials you go out and get your timing back, you get used to being tackled again,” he said.

"That game was pretty intense and the boys will get a lot out of that game.”

For the Fish Hooks, Friday night was a celebration.

With more than half a century passing between games, Friday night's game will live long in the memory of the locals.

Dalby's A-grade hooker Danny Wassell comes from Jandowae and played for the Fish Hooks for the historic occasion.

The Fish Hooks next play in the Lindsay Williams Shield, held in Wandoan on Saturday, March 11.

The Diehards opening game of the season is at home against Gatton on Saturday, March 25.