BIG WEEKEND OF RUGBY LEAGUE IN INGHAM!

The Herbert River Crushers vs Souths on Sunday. Photo credit: Donna Macarone

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By Peter Reitano

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Last weekend was a huge weekend of Rugby League in Ingham! Starting with Legends of League events, taking the legends around the district to visit schools, the Ingham Bowling Club, and Lee’s Hotel on Friday night. They then continued onto the Artie Gofton Oval on Saturday where 2,500 people gathered to watch several Junior Games followed by a group of NRL Legends made up with names such as Matt Bowen, Sam Thaiday, Ben Hannant plus many more players who have represented both state and country take on a team of Herbert River Rugby League Legends made up largely of players from the first 30 years of the Team's history and other big names from the district.  

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The game was evenly poised after the first half, with the NRL Legends having skipped away to a 16 – 6 lead. With approximately 10 minutes to go, young Sullivan Blanch came on the field and received the ball from 40 metres out and outran the defending tackles from many big-name players, such as one of the Cowboys' best fullbacks, Matt Bowen, to score. After his conversion, which sailed over the makeshift goalposts, the Crushers were only down by 4.  

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Jarrod Modder (a local fan who had joined the local Legends team via an Auction) then levelled the scores right at full-time. Modder had the kick to win the game for the Crushers, but he missed it, finishing the game with the score level.  

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The A-Grade Crushers then clashed with the table-topping South's Bulls on Sunday. The Bulls were too strong for the Crushers, running out winners 40 – 10. For the Crushers, tries were scored by prop Jayden Sharp, and winger Jerramaine Nean, while five-eight & Captain, Dylan Gaggiano, kicked 1 conversion.  

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The Crushers play away over the next 2 rounds against Burdekin Roosters & Western Lions.

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