Rangers make the most of conditions to continue strong start to Risdon Cup

The Rangers took full advantage of harsh conditions to continue their unbeaten start to the Risdon Cup season.

Hudson Meyer. Picture: Nev Madsen

RUGBY UNION: Blustery weather at Gold Park made things difficult at times, but the Toowoomba Rangers were able to best play to the conditions.

Last year’s grand finalists made it back-to-back victories to start the Risdon Cup season with a 32-11 defeat of Roma.

They were made to work for it, with the Echidnas making full use of a strong breeze at their backs to take an 11-3 lead into the break.

With their turn to play with the wind behind them, the Rangers made full use of the advantage, scoring five second half tries on their way to victory.

Coach Cameron Donaldson said he was pleased with the way his side was able to make the necessary adjustments to get over the top of Roma.

“It really was a game of two halves where the prevailing conditions had an impact,” Donaldson said.

“Roma started well and really controlled things well and had the lead as a result.

“In the second half we played field position and managed our game pretty well.

“We had a good chat at halftime and knew we had to do things a bit differently.

“There were a few unforced errors in the first half, but everybody was able to pick up.

“We got our energy levels up, got a bit of a roll on and were a bit more careful with our passes. We limited the risks we took and everything fell into place.”

Donaldson said his forwards laid a strong platform for the comeback.

“John Vinson had a towering game. He ran the ball well and gave us a lot of go forward,” he said.

“Dougall Eady is a young front rower that did a lot of good work, particularly in the scrums.

“Our captain Tom Vinson controlled the team around the park and gave us good direction.”

The boot proved the difference at John Ritter Oval, with Gatton improving to 2-0 on the back of a 23-22 defeat of Dalby.

The Wheatmen outscored the visitors four tries to two, however a pair of conversions and three penalties from Arrhur Marais proved the difference in the end.

A pair of tries to Lachlan Puig helped the Toowoomba Bears to a 36-0 defeat of USQ, and Tom Sullivan scored a hat-trick for the Emus as Goondiwindi accounted for Condamine 48-0.

The Emus remain undefeated in 2021.

DOWNS REPS

The Darling Downs women capped off a solid performance against the Sunshine Coast, prevailing 10-0 at Highfields Sports Park.

The game doubled as a selection trial for the South Queensland team to compete in the Queensland Country Rugby Championships in May.

In a big weekend of action at Highfields, the Downs U19s Colts took on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, again with selection for South Queensland up for grabs.