Success first up for Warwick and Southern Downs in U43s

BACK rower wins first best player award for team from Warwick and Stanthorpe in zone 5 carnival in Warwick.

WINNERS: The Warwick and Southern Downs under-43kg rugby league team (front, from left) Kye Lawler, Mark Hallman, Samuel Wainwright, Jack Talbot, Nikolas Talbot, Riley Wainwright, (middle) trainer Daniel Talbot, Brae Willman, Jack Herald, Bailey Nicholls, Max Doyle, coach Ross Thorne, (back) trainer Bradley Morrish, Fletcher Tate-Roche, Jesse Scanlan, Liam Johnston, William Riley, Nicholas Sweet and Clarence Walker. Picture: Gerard Walsh

RUGBY LEAGUE: Warwick and Southern Downs started the zone 5 under-43 kg carnival at Father Ranger Oval on Monday morning with a 28-0 win against Cunnamulla.

Liam Johnston scored two tries with Max Doyle, Bevan Costello, William Riley and Clarence Walker scoring tries. Warwick and Southern Downs kicked two goals.

Kye Lawler was the host team's player of the match after playing strongly in the back row.

Trainer Brad Morrish said he was happy with the performance in the team's first time playing as a group.

"Our forwards took control early,” Morrish said.

The Cunnamulla team includes seven players from Warwick. One of the seven, hooker Kihan Marshall, was the best player for Cunnamulla

Central Downs beat Balonne Barwon 22-8 in the first game of the carnival.

Wynnum leads 24-0 with 15 minutes to go against Western Downs in the third game.

Warwick and Southern Downs play Central Downs in the 1.20pm game on Monday at Father Ranger Oval.

Spectators welcome to games all day Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and half of Friday.

The annual athletics carnival is on Wednesday.