A 24-10 bonus point victory over University of Queensland Gatton last Saturday saw the Rangers Barber Cup side claim the 2010 Minor Premiership, for the first time in…. well none seems to remember!
Rangers secured 1st grade Premierships in 2005 and 2006, however both of these were achieved without finishing in first place after the home and away season.
So despite consultation with a number of the Club’s stalwarts, none seems to be able to pinpoint when, exactly, the last time was that Rangers secured the Barber Cup Minor Premiership.
Not that the past matters now, as Rangers travel to fellow high flyers Wynnum home ground this Saturday to contest the Major Semi-Final and the chance for a well earned week off.
Rangers and Wynnum have been the standouts in this year’s Barber Cup competition, both teams finishing with an 11-3 win/loss record. Rangers secured the Minor Premiership courtesy of superior bonus points.
However, in a strange twist of fate a scheduling clash means that Ballymore – the traditional venue for Semi Final and Finals rugby, is unavailable for not only this weekend (Major / Minor Semi Finals) but also next weekend (Preliminary Finals).
The Queensland Suburban Rugby Union awarded Wynnum the rights to host this weekend’s Semi Finals, and Rangers the rights to host the following weekend’s Preliminary Finals.
Unfortunately Rangers weren’t in the reckoning to host this weekend’s Semi Finals as one of the key pre-requisates was the requirement to have three fields. An issue that the committee is keen to address in the future.
Not that it’s an issue for the Barber Cup boys.
“It will only make a difference if we let it” was Rangers Head Coach Michael McLean’s blunt assessment of the situation.
“The side is peaking at the right time of the year, and our combinations and fitness are exactly where they should be for this time of the year" McLean continued.
McLean also paid tribute to the wide variety of people who have contributed to the sides Minor Premiership success.
“It’s been a great effort from the whole squad.
“From the 15 that get selected each week, to the Pegg Cup boys who sit on the bench, the coaching and management staff and the Club committee who have been very supportive”.
The two combatants have locked horns twice already this year with the ledger even. Wynnum won the Round 5 meeting 20-13, with Rangers returning the favor in Round 12 with a 22-14 victory.
An ‘adults only’ Rangers supporters bus will leave the Coronation Hotel, Ipswich at 12pm this Saturday. $20 will get you a seat on the bus, and ‘refreshments’ for the trip home. Any person interested in getting a seat on the bus should contact Damian Roche on 0430 724 226.
The Rangers team to play Wynnum in this Saturday's Major Semi-Final is:
1. Andrew Devantier
2. Zan Branford
3. Rob Beattie
4. Alex McLean
5. Silas Cocks
6. Joe Creedy
7. Maioha Gregory
8. Charlie Scott
9. Daniel Trevorrow
10. Stewart Banks
11. James Dwyer
12. Cade Hill
13. Thomas Dwyer
14. Miller Lemalu
15. Nick Horrigan
Reserves:
16. Stewart Cameron
17. Andy Daintith
18. Daniel Fitzpatrick
19. Terry Kita
20. James McKnight
21. Ben O'Connell
22. Simon Patterson
Go the Rangers!
