Gremlins too good

The Stanthorpe Gremlins claimed early bragging rights in the 2012 BRL season, taking out the final of last Sunday’s preseason competition. Four of the five BRL teams competed for the Round Robin Trophy.
The Inglewood Roosters and Stanthorpe Gremlins faced off in the opening game and met again in the final. The opening game was a tough encounter with neither side able to crack the other’s defence in the opening stages and at half-time the score was nil-all. It was well into the second half before the Gremlins were able to break the deadlock, with tries to Gary Skimmings and Jason Cobon. With one conversion, the Gremlins opened their account with a 10-nil win over last season’s premiers.
An under-strength Killarney side took on the Gremlins in the second game. Down on numbers, Killarney were never going to be able to match it with the Gremlins but certainly lost no admirers. Killarney look to have the nucleus of a good side and at full strength they will cause some headaches. Newly signed Michael Marshal looked dangerous with each touch he had. With an easy win in game two the Gremlins booked their place in the final without having their tryline crossed.
Killarney were forced to back up and play Wallangarra after only a short break and it was certainly a gutsy effort.
Wallangarra overcame a few preseason teething problems to field a squad of twenty players and, in an entertaining game, notched up five tries to Killarney’s two. Corey Torrens was once again a handful for the opposition and he danced his way round defenders to claim three of the Rams’ tries. He showed what a valuable player he will again be for the Rams, adding five conversions to his tally of points.
Jake Kitching and Aaron Bowman were the Cutters’ try scorers. Michael Marshall successfully converted both tries.
Wallangarra and the Roosters met to decide who would play Stanthorpe in the final. Despite a spirited effort from the Rams, the Roosters showed their earlier run had blown away a few of the cobwebs and they looked more like last year’s premiers as they piled on five tries and three conversions, dashing Wallangarra’s hopes of a run against the Gremlins in the final.
Sam Martin was impressive, scoring a double, while captain coach Matt Gainey slotted three conversions.
In the final, Stanthorpe stepped up their defensive effort and at half-time they had one hand on the trophy, with the score at 12-nil. Gremlins’ try scorers in the first half were Kyle Marsh who had an impressive start to the season, Andrew Thorne and Luke Schnitzerling.
The second half saw a spirited attack from the Roosters but the Gremlins’ defence was up to the task. Matt Hendry scored for the Gremlins, taking the score to 20-6 and putting the issue beyond doubt. The Roosters scored in the dying stages of the game but the Gremlins had claimed their first trophy for 2012 with a 20-10 scoreline.
It was a great result for Gremlins’ Rookie coach Paul Harvey who has obviously put a lot of work into rebuilding this side.
There were a couple if injuries to come out of the games. Gremlins’ Sean Asquith suffered a dislocated thumb in an early game. The Roosters lost winger Callum Makings after a heavy tackle in the opening stages of game one. He was transported to hospital and returned with his arm in a sling as a precaution after a heavy knock to his shoulder.
In another incident, one Rams player was also taken to hospital with suspected concussion after suffering a heavy knock to the head.
Gremlins supporters will be hoping their team can follow the pattern of the Roosters in 2011, who claimed the Round Robin Trophy and went on to win the Premiership.
The BRL season proper opens in earnest this weekend with Inglewood hosting Killarney and Stanthorpe hosting Texas at Sullivan Oval.
Inglewood will strip much fitter for last weekend’s outing while Killarney will benefit from the return of several of their players.
The game at Sullivan Oval is sure to be a test for the Gremlins who have not had a look at the Texas side. Both games will kick off at 2.00pm.
Border Bushrangers selectors will be casting their eyes over all games with a representative squad to be selected shortly to play in Miles on April 14.
Results
Game 1: Inglewood nil, Stanthorpe 10. Game 2: Stanthorpe 32, Killarney nil. Game 3: Killarney 12, Wallangarra 30. Game 4: Ingewood 26, Wallangarra nil. Final: Stanthorpe 20, Inglewood 10.