Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
By Peter Reitano
The Herbert River Crushers travelled to Townsville on Saturday to take on the 2 ladder leaders in both A-Grade and Reserve Grade. It was always going to be a big job for both teams to defeat the ladder leaders.
The A-Grade side were taking on the team that had won the last 2 premierships and were currently undefeated this season.
It was a tight tussle in the first 10 minutes before Souths scored 2 tries.
At the 33rd minute and after sustained pressure from the Crushers centre, Kyle Stewart, carried a couple of defenders over the line to score and with captain and five-eighth Dylan Gaggiano's conversion, Souths were up 10 - 6, and that was how it stayed until halftime.
Souths scored 2 tries to go ahead 22 - 6 with 20 minutes go. Stewart then crossed out wide, and winger Junior Dau caught a quick pass from centre Ben Campagnolo, to run 30 metres to score. With Gaggiano's conversion, they were down by 6.
The Crushers did their best to even the scores, but unfortunately, gave away a penalty in front of the posts with a minute to go, and Souths closed out the match 24 - 16.
The Reserve Grade were playing a side that had only lost 1 game so far this season and it was made harder for them by only having 15 players. Souths had jumped out to a lead of 16 - 0 before winger Sam Akiba scored. With fullback Hezekiah Nona’s conversion, the Crushers were down by 10.
Souths scored 2 more tries to lead 24 - 6 at halftime. Souths then scored another try to lead 28 - 6.
The Crushers then scored a try when front rower Matty Chiesa put a kick back inside for Nona to score a try that he converted. Hooker, Keith Kyle, who was backing up after going off injured last weekend, darted over from dummy half to score under the posts. With Nona's conversion, the Crushers were down 28 - 18 with time running out and that was the final score.
Both teams had done well against the competition heavyweights.
The Crushers play their first home games of the season this Sunday against Western Lions.
(Photos supplied by Sarah Castles)
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes. Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Life Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Life Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2026 Life Publishing Group Ltd.
