This past week saw the last week of competition games for the Rocky Junior International competition. Sides have really left their mark on the competition in some very hot conditions.
In the Under 13 competition, Norths, Rocky Tigers and Emu Park have made their mark on the competition, Yeppoon will make up the top four. This is a really tough competition and any of these four sides can go through the weekends semi finals, it will come down to who holds their nerves but one thing for sure, these games will be close.
In the Under 14 competition, Fitzroy’s and Emu Park are setting the bench mark Brothers White are in the finals and they should take on Norths in the 3v4 game on the weekend, it is hard to see Fitzroy's not getting the break after this weekend. However, these are semi-finals and funny things have happened, one thing for sure if you like good junior rugby league don't miss these games.
Under 15: The two Brothers sides are going to be tough, though both may be without their newly announced Under 15 Queensland School boy representatives. Cap Coast Brothers and Norths will make up the four which will be a fantastic age group to follow as all sides like to attack and there will be plenty of points scored.
Under 16: Cap Coast finished the regular round with a solid win, Fitzroy's got a win against North's to finish the season on a high and Brothers will enter the semi-finals fresh after the weekend off. These remaining sides have plenty of representative talent and the games will be close and entertaining.
Under 18: This division will be an absolute highlight with all Mal Meninga Cup players back after a break out year. Yeppoon have strung together some good wins lead by tough running Jas O'Neil, Brothers have return to the winners list while Gracemere continue their good form. This is again another age group that can either way.
We wish all players the best of luck for the semi-finals. To all the players, coaching staff, volunteers and supporters that missed out we thank you for your continued support of the Junior League. To all the club sponsors as well as the Rocky Junior League Sponsors, thank you for support of Junior Rugby League without you these players don't get the opportunities to play our great game.
Last weekend’s results:
Under 11
Cap Coast Brothers 24 Gracemere 8
Brothers Blue 24 Norths 6
Rocky Tigers 20 Yeppoon 10
Under 12
Norths 6 Brothers Blue 6
Gracemere 20 Cap Coast Brothers 8
Rocky Tigers 30 Yeppoon 18
Under 13
Norths 80 Brothers White 0
Brothers White 84 Gracemere 0
Emu Park 36 Yeppoon 18
Rocky Tigers 66 Cap Coast Brothers 10
Under 14
Brothers White 26 North's 14
Brothers Blue 84 Gracemere 0
Fitzroy's 36 Cap Coast Brothers 6
Emu Park 24 Yeppoon 18
Under 15
Brothers Blue 32 Gracemere 10
North's 16 Brothers White 4
Cap Coast Brothers 50 Fitzroy's 6
Emu Park 32 Yeppoon 16
Under 16
Fitzroy's 28 North's 10
Cap Coast Brothers 16 Yeppoon 0
Under 18
Brothers 40 Emu Park 18
Gracemere 44 North's 16
Yeppoon 18 Cap Coast Brothers 8
This weekend’s preview:
The RDJRL finals are on this weekend with some magnificent contest to be contested for grand final spots. After nine long rounds which included cyclones, flooding and some extreme heat sides have found them elves in positions to take out the 2015 competition.
Games will be contested at Browne Park (1v2) and Gymmy Grounds (3v4) commencing at 11am, due to senior football at Browne Park the Under 13 (1v2) game will also be at the Gymmy Grounds.
Gymmy Ground, North Rockhampton
11am Under 13 Rockhampton Tigers v Yeppoon
Both sides are coming off good wins and Tigers can consider themselves unlucky not to finish higher on the table as they finished on the same points as North’s only to be relegated to 3rd on for and against. Yeppoon are the defending Under 12 premiers and have struggled a little this year. Both sides have plenty of attacking flair and this game will be difficult to predict as the loser is finished for the 2015 season. Our prediction is Tigers in a close tough contest.
12.20pm Under 13 Emu Park (1) v North’s (2)
Emu Park are last year’s runners up and have been consistent all year, North’s have been very strong in defence and have some class attacking out wide. Emu Park defeated North’s in a close game in round 5 22 -16. Both sides have progressed well since that clash. Our prediction Emu Park by no more than 4
1.20pm Under 14 Brothers White v North’s
These sides met last week with Brothers White overcoming a determine North’s outfit. Brothers always had the game in hand but we are now in the knock out stage of the season. Both sides have plenty of attacking skills. After last week we don’t think North’s will overcome Brothers and predict Brothers to continue with the win.
2.30pm Under 15 Brothers White v North’s
Again another game with both sides meeting last week with North’s getting away with a 16 – 4 win. Brothers White are sweating on the return of recently appointed u15 Qld players Tom Farr and Liam Grant to stiffen up their defence, North’s didn’t look troubled last week and have been fairly consistent this year, given it is one win apiece we believe this one is too hard to predict one thing is for sure it will be a tough decider.
3.50pm Under 16 Yeppoon v North’s
With only 5 sides in this competition, sides have had byes during the year and have made it hard to get any consistency, along with Cyril Connell players out it has only been the last couple of weeks that sides have been at full strength. Whoever wins this game comes up against one of last year’s grand finalist which will be very difficult, we will give Yeppoon the nod but only just.
5.10pm Under 18 Yeppoon v North’s
Yeppoon have been disrupted all year with a high present in the very good Capra’s Mal Meninga Cup Campaign that also most caused a boil over against Brisbane East’s, they have returned to club football and been very good, North’s have been consistent all year and have knocked off Yeppoon. With all players back we see Yeppoon winning this game, but North’s will not give up at all.
Browne Park, Rockhampton
11am Under 14 Fitzroy’s v Emu Park
Again both of last year’s grand finalist are matched up in this game, Fitzroy’s have been the dominant side all year, not dropping a game and also are the 2015 Rhys Wesser Shield winners, they have a few changes in personal and coaching staff and that seems to have made a big difference to this side. Emu Park have match winners and if they are let to play their natural game they could turn it around. Hard to see Fitzroy’s dropping their intensity in this one, Fitzroy’s to progress through to the Grand Final
12.10pm Under 15 Brothers Blue v Cap Coast Brothers
Brothers Blue struggled last week against a very determine Gracemere without newly appointed Qld players Harry Leetentveld and Ethan Bullemor. Cap Coast beat Brothers Blue in the early rounds by 2 points at the beach and both sides have only dropped one game each all year. With the return of their representative players Brothers Blue will have plenty of confidence though Cap Coast Brothers have a history of rising for the big games, our prediction Brothers Blue by 2.
1.20pm Under 16 Cap Coast Brothers v Brothers
Both sides have had plenty of players out with the under 16 Cyril Connell side this year. Both coaches will have some selection headaches as the players filling in have done a great job for their sides this year. These sides played extra time in last year’s grand final and they have been close again all year. Who ever gets this game will take plenty into the decider in two weeks, sorry this one is too hard to predict.
2.40pm Under 18 Gracemere v Cap Coast Brothers
Gracemere recruited very well this year and have a very strong forward pack, Cap Coast have been disrupted with players in the under 18 Mal Meninga side and with their return like Yeppoon have strung together some strong results. With the return of the players from representative duties Cap Coast should have the edge, but if the Gracemere’s forward pack establishes itself early they could get over the top of the Coast, our prediction is Cap Coast but if you want to see a tough and skill full game of football get to Browne Park.
