How all the teams fared in round one of the Risdon Cup

We look at the first round of the Darling Downs Risdon including all the results, talking points and the star players you need to watch.

They needed to ditch a lot of off-season rust, but Rangers did enough to secure a first round Risdon Cup A-grade win.

First on the scoreboard through the boot of Tom Taylor the home side quickly turned their 3-0 lead into a 10-0 advantage.

Winger Alex Fessy crossed the line to score Rangers first try of the season and Taylor duly converted.

USQ reduced the deficit to 10-3 and while the Saints finished the match strongly they were unable to close the gap any more.

“I think it was a rusty performance from both sides,” Rangers captain John Vinson (pictured) said.

“We certainly left a lot of points out and it’s fair to say the same of USQ – there was lot of dropped ball due to the slippery conditions.

“It’s good to come away with a win to start the season though that’s certainly a positive.

“I think our scrum was really good as well – it’s something we have been working on for a little while now.

“There’s certainly some things we can improve on but we will celebrate the win for now.”

In the other Risdon Cup A-grade clash – Dalby Wheatmen hunted down Gatton Black Pigs in a commanding performance.

The Wheatmen ran in five tries to one in 37-7 win on the road.

Martin Cuzens scored a double for the Wheatmen in the win.

RDO Equipment Risdon Cup A-grade results

Dalby 37 df Gatton 7

Rangers 10 df USQ 3

Nutrien Ag Solutions B Grade Bill Flamsteed Premiership

USQ 17 df Rangers 12

Condamine 13 df St George 12

Verifact Traffic C Grade E S Dooney Hayes Premiership

South Burnett 55 df Rangers 7

Dalby 24 df Gatton 12

STARS TO WATCH

Here’s our look at the Top 25 players in what is arguably Queensland’s best country rugby competition.

Will Gilbert.

Will Gilbert (Goondiwindi Emus): The Emus halfback is a good leader, strong defender and dynamic player. He reads the play well and would be a welcome addition to any team at any level of the game.

Will Jackson.

Will Jackson (Toowoomba Bears): Jackson is the type of player every coach wants on their team. He loves wearing the number 15 fullback jersey but he is also more than capable at scrum or fly-half and inside centre. His boot will get the Bears out of more than a few sticky situations this season while also putting pressure on their opposition.

John Vinson is tackled.

John Vinson (Toowoomba Rangers): The Rangers stalwart has been a Risdon Cup benchmark for a number of seasons now. He brings a no-nonsense hardiness to every side he plays in and has captained the Darling Downs representative side for the past three years.

Michael Jamieson is tackled.

Michael Jamieson (Goondiwindi Emus): With his speed off the mark and hard-running style, Jamieson is difficult to stop. Capable of playing anywhere in the backline he is a great asset to the border club.

Sam Laffy takes on the line.

Sam Laffy (Toowoomba Rangers): Fit, firing and eager to build on a successful 2021 season, Laffy is one to watch this year.

Sam Curran (Roma Echidnas): Curran stamped himself as one to watch with a successful showing at the City-Country game earlier this year. With a standout season of Brisbane Premier Grade rugby under his belt, Curran will be eager to make his mark in the Risdon Cup.

Lachlan Puig.

Lachlan Puig (Toowoomba Bears): Another player who stood out in the City-Country game, Puig has a knack for popping up in just the right place on the field. His hard-hitting defensive style will have plenty of opposition attackers second-guessing themselves.

Dean Bichel.

Dean Bichel (Gatton Black Pigs): A hard-running centre who can fashion a break anywhere on the field. If Bichel can stay injury free he will be a key man for the Black Pigs.

Brian Chong Nee.

Brian Chong Nee (Toowoomba Bears): An honest hardworking prop who gets forward. Chong Nee was a standout last season earning Queensland Country selection and catching the eye of Brisbane Premier Grade clubs.

Trent Davison (Dalby Wheatmen): Drawing on his representative experience, Davison will be a key part of the Wheatmen’s line up and will test plenty of his opposition numbers.

Peter Welsh.

Peter Welsh (Toowoomba Bears): There’s a no frills approach to the game you have to respect from Welsh. He’s a good jumper, plays hard when he has to and conducts himself exactly like you want every good second rower to.

Declan Wheeler.

Declan Wheeler (Toowoomba Bears): One of last season’s standouts, Wheeler bamboozled Country in the City-Country game. Capable of playing at the 9, 10 and 15 spots, he is versatile and exciting.

Michael Debney (Toowoomba Rangers): Arguably one of the best loose forwards on the Darling Downs, he is primed for another great season.

Michael Debney.

Rohan Gale (Dalby Wheatmen): If you’re looking for someone to thread the needle with the ball, Gale is your man.

Lucas Van Der Laan (Toowoomba Bears): A standout in the City-Country game, Van Der Laan is a promising forward. Played the last two years for Easts in Brisbane Premier Grade Rugby.

Adam Maxwell (Toowoomba Rangers): A big focus on fitness in the off-season has Maxwell primed to make a big mark on the 2022 season.

Levi Power.

Levi Power (Condamine Cods): Led the Country team very well this year and always puts in 100 per cent. Will snap up loose balls in the blink of an eye.

Murray Webster (St George Frillnecks): A hard-hitting, loose forward who can bend the line.

Sam Warby (Condamine Cods): His ability to play in a number of roles under any conditions makes him a great asset. Expect to see Warby making an impact in the front this year.

Tom Sayer (Roma Echidnas): Brothers (Brisbane Premier Grade) representatives speak highly of Sayer. He his expected to be a great addition to the forward pack.

Jonty Harris.

Jonty Harris (Goondiwindi Emus): One of the Emus stars in their premiership winning 2021 team. Harris didn’t let up in the off-season and he is primed for another massive year.

George Perry (Goondiwindi Emus): The Emus pack only got bigger in the off-season. Returning from injury, Perry is a hardworking, determined second row/loose forward.

Tom McDonnell (St George Frillnecks): McDonnell has laid the platform for a big 2022 with great club and Queensland Country performances last season.

Jack Cook (Goondiwindi Emus): A veteran front rower who plays with bags of experience.

Joe Klein (Goondiwindi Emus): Klein was a key man in a star-studded Emus outfit this year and everything suggests he is primed to shine again in 2022.