Toowoomba Rangers too good for Goondiwindi Emus in Risdon Cup
Rangers and Bears round out seasons in style. Get all the Downs Rugby finals results here including our star players list.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
As the final whistle blew and Toowoomba Rangers prepared to hoist the Risdon Cup for a second straight year – an emotional John Vinson was bought to tears.
Rangers 32-24 defeat of Goondiwindi Emus capped off an unbeaten season and was Vinson’s last game for the mighty Bulls.
“I think I’m so emotional due to the sheer relief,” Vinson, who will leave Rangers to play club rugby in Ireland later this year, said.
“We (Rangers) have worked so hard all season and have shown so much dedication to the team, that’s why I’m so emotional.
“I’m just super proud of these boys.”
Both sides showed plenty of grit and a willingness to grind throughout the game and went into the halftime break locked at 14-all.
The points flowed more freely in the second half as the fatiguing Emus started to feel the effect of having two players in the bin.
Rangers side piled on 18-points in the second 40, capitalising on errors by their opposition.
“It was a very grindy game, they (Goondiwindi) never gave up,” Vinson said.
“We never really had any good opportunities until their poor discipline, off the back of them being fatigued from the sin bins, opened it up for us.
“It’s just been great to work with these boys.”
Vinson praised his teammates commitment and fortitude throughout the season, acknowledging that each player bought into the club’s vision and played their part.
“We set a goal back at the end of January and these boys you know, we wanted to go back-to-back,” he said.
“It wasn’t the smoothest season for us, we had plenty of bumps along the road.
“They all stuck to the strategy right from the start; it’s so hard to execute a long range strategy, and fortunately no one lost sight of the goal.”
TOP PERFORMERS
RANGERS
Sebastian Russell-Sharam: Named player of the match, the scrum-half was the cornerstone of his side’s win. His kicking from the spot and handy service allowed his side to play a free-flowing, un-rushed game.
Matt Bougoure: The player of the season lived up to his name with a brilliant performance. The flanker’s work in attack was the most impressive, even crossing for a double.
Brandon Murray: The fullback was a calm presence at the back. Making clutch tackles against much bigger men and piling the pressure on the Emus with his kicking game, Murray had a very good 80.
John Vinson: The captain was a staple of consistency. His work through the middle and communication proved invaluable.
EMUS
Michael Jamieson: The fly-half gave it his all in a losing effort. His playmaking ability and kicks gave Rangers a headache all game.
Joseph Gilbert: The big barnstorming loose-head prop was the heart and sole of his side.
Making crunching tackles and fending off players with ease, Gilbert was more than a handful.
Jack Cook: Much like his forward partner Gilbert, the hooker was consistently asking question of the Rangers defence all game. His service from the lineout was also quality.
William Gilbert: The scrum-half was great from the spot, kicking 3/3 and a penalty, and crossed for a five pointer also.
EMILEE CHERRY CUP
Toowoomba Bears won their second straight Emilee Cherry knocking off competition favourites Roma Echidnas 12-10 at the weekend.
The Echidnas got off an a brilliant start, splitting the Bears’ defence on the right edge, crossing in the second minute of the game.
The Bears levelled the score at the stroke of half time, and they went into the break 5-5.
Toowoomba took the lead at 12-5 in the 11th minute, but Roma fought back in the 14th through individual brilliance from Rhylee Wiedman on the left wing, but fell short of levelling the score after a missed conversion.
“I’d like to thank the girl’s and our coaching staff and our manager Nic (Nicole Mann) for the constant support,” Bears captain Lily Black said in her post game speech.
“And thank you to our opposition Roma.
“You guys out up a killer fight as always and you should be proud of the way you guys played today.”
TOP PERFORMERS
BEARS
Taleah Acland: Player of the match and with one of the best performances of the day, Acland was unstoppable. Breaking through tackles with ease and stiff-arming defenders putting them on the floor, she was a wrecking ball with legs.
Lucy Anlezark: The number 10 gave great service, had speed to burn and wasn’t afraid to be involved in heavy contact.
Katie Collie: Calm and composed when she was on the field, Collie crossed for the premiership clinching try.
ECHIDNAS
Rhylee Wiedman: The highest point scorer and try scorer for the season capped off her remarkable year with a brilliant long-range solo try in the dying seconds of the game.
Nella Hake: A workhorse, Hake gave no consideration for her wellbeing, frequently flying into heavy contact.
Hannah Jakins: The 10 provided good service for her teammates throughout the game and was always a threat through her line-breaking speed.
B-GRADE
St George were too good for season rivals Goondiwindi Emus in a thrilling B-grade final.
Unbeaten in three matches against the Emus this season, the Frillnecks saved their best for last securing a 27-14 win in the decider.
“It’s a great way to finish after we’ve had such a strong season,” Frillnecks captain Tom McDonnell said.
“It’s was a great game and a great contest.”
Mobbed by his mates and supporters after the final whistle it was evident how much the win meant to the South West Queensland community.
“It means so much more as we’re a small club and it’s our 40th year.
“It’s also really meaningful for the community, all of our supporters, and us as a team.”
The man-mountain confessed his side got a ‘bit lucky’ towards the end with a few fateful tries, but wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“We got a bit lucky with a couple of tries that were runaways against the play,” he said.
“But it’s always a tough game against Gundy, and we enjoy that.
“We knew exactly what we signed ourselves up for, and in our four games this season, that’s by far the most we’ve beaten them by.”
TOP PERFORMERS
FRILLNECKS
Jack Stokes: Masquerading as a number 10, the flanker was having a ball. Kicking early, leading kick-chases, throwing dummies and keeping pace with the opposing backs, Stokes was a huge source of energy for his side.
Lachie McKechnie: The inside centre was the catalyst for the game clinching try. Pouncing on a bouncing ball after a poor pass from the Emus’ half, McKechnie shot out of the line, caught and precariously juggled the ball mid stride to make a crisp offload to the supporting fullback who ran 50m and crossed near the posts.
Connor Day: Awarded the player of the match, Day was very adept at reading the Emus’ attacking plays, often catching out the Goondiwindi players with early tackles around the ruck.
Tom McDonnell: The captain led from the front for the entirety of the match and was involved in absolutely everything, from great defence to making tough carries.
EMUS
Lockie Smith: His kicking game saved his side so many times throughout the contest, arguably keeping the score from becoming a blowout.
Jack O’Leary: Great at the contest all day, the flanker was impressive in a losing side.
Tom Gleeson: The halfback provided good service throughout the match and was not afraid to take a carry when required.
Joe Klein: The forward crossed for the Emus’ first points of the game after he crashed through the defensive line of St George off a set play.
WOMEN’S 7s SHIELD
The most one-sided final of the day, the Dalby Wheetchix thumped the Toowoomba Rangers 19-0 in an emphatic performance.
From the start, Dalby were too good securing a 12-0 first half lead.
The Wheetchix continued their dominance in the second half.
After extending the lead to 19-0, it was their defensive resolve in the final minutes of the game that was the most impressive, they kept the Rangers scoreless; the only team on the day to not leak points.
Dalby’s captain coach Sarah Pearce was beaming from ear-to-ear after her team’s win, elated with her side’sperformance.
“We played a very good game,” she said.
“I’m truly so stoked with the girls.”
C-GRADE
The first final of the day delivered in spades.
The boys from Dalby and Roma battled it out for the ES Dooney Hayes Cup, leaving it all out on the field.
Early dominance saw Dalby fly to a 21-0 lead in as many minutes, shocking the Echidnas players and fans alike.
Fighting back, the Roma side clawed one back, and headed into the half down 21-7.
The second half was a defensive slugfest in which Dalby only added six to their total and Roma just the five, to take the scoreboard to 26-12 at the final whistle.
“We defended a fair bit if that game, especially in the second, so I think that we were fortunate to have got a good lead early,” Wheatman’s captain Ben Itzstein said on the game.
“From there, it was our defence for the last three quarters of the game that got us across the line.
“If we didn’t tackle as well as we did, it (the result) probably would’ve been a different story.”
Dalby’s vice-captain echoed his captain’s sentiment about it being a tough and physical contest.
“It was a grindy game towards the end there and we had to do just that,” Joey Farrell said.
“We had a lot of experience in our side this year which helped in the tougher moments as they knew what they were doing, and when to come up with the play.”
TOP PERFORMERS
WHEATMEN
Henry Finlay: The centre was crucial in his side’s tough victory. Breaking the line and making the right plays at the right time, Finlay was rightfully awarded player of the match.
Scott Walker: The quickest player on the field, Walker set up a try off a line break and scored another after a brilliant intercept.
Broc Turner: The other centre, Turner also found himself in the right place at the right time, and crossed for two tries for his efforts.
ECHIDNAS
Brodie Hurley: The flanker busted his guts all game, took numerous tough carries and at stages seemed to have spiders on him. He was the engine of the side.
Jai Humphery: Scored a try in the first half, the centre was constantly asking questions of Dalby’s defensive line.
Caleb Collins-maunder: Unmissable with his long hair and white headgear, the number 17 was the go to for crash plays, metre’s through the middle and heavy contact in defence.
MORE PHOTOS FROM THE DAY
More Coverage
Titans win stampede to sign boom Coast twins
The Gold Coast Titans have won a stampede to sign boom Year 9 twins from King’s Christian College, but a Logan City young gun from Cameron Smith’s old school remains hot property.
Sport shorts: The Darling Downs and South West stories you need to see
Check out our latest instalment of sports shorts where we shine a light on the region’s sporting stories, including when you can catch Brisbane Broncos NRL and NRLW stars in the Garden City and see which young guns are set to compete for Queensland in netball.
Mountaineers Tracker: Experienced duo signed for 2025 QSL season
The Toowoomba Mountaineers have signed two pivotal players with unrivalled experience for their 2025 QSL team. Details here.
Mal Meninga Cup countdown: Western Clydesdales season preview
After a midtable finish in 2024, the Western Clydesdales have their sights set on making a statement in this year’s Mal Meninga Cup. Check out our season preview here.
Broncos superstars coming to Toowoomba as trial set to sell out
Brisbane skipper Adam Reynolds has hinted at a strong Broncos line-up taking the field in their Toowoomba trial match against the Titans this month, as the club sends its entire squad to the Garden City.
Five sports, one teen: Meet the Toowoomba sporting superstar
Whether it’s futsal, football, cricket, basketball or chess, Iskcon Gyawali loves the thrill of competition. The teen sensation has represent Queensland in multiple sports and has dreams of following in the footsteps of an Australian sporting legend. Details here.