The Purcell’s Engineering Central Highlands Rugby League is set to kick off its massive 2016 season this Saturday (February 13) with the inaugural Central Highlands Nines competition.
Inspired by the Auckland Nines concept, the tournament will be hosted at Macca’s Oval Bluff this year, and will include four Men’s teams and four Women’s teams from across Central Queensland.
Central Highlands Rugby League President Frank Lambley said that it was great to see footy back in the Central Highlands after last year’s blockbuster finals series.
“It’s great to see the return of rugby league to the Central Highlands after one of the closest finals series to date and what better way than to start the season off with an exciting Nines tournament at our defending premiers’ home ground,” he said.
“In terms of who will win, the Bluff Rabbitohs and Blackwater Crushettes would have to be the favourites on paper, but it’s anyone’s game.
“We don’t know what to expect from Gladstone Brothers or the two Emu Park sides, so we’ll have to wait and see come game day. It should be a really good tournament.”
The day will kick off at 1pm with former Queensland and Australian great Alan McIndoe taking centre stage to line-up and take the first kick of the 2016 season.
The tournament will then be played throughout the afternoon before the two grand finals kicking off at 6pm.
The list of game times are below:
1pm Blackwater Crushettes v Dysart Bulls Ladies
1.25pm Bluff Rabbitohs v Emerald Cowboys
1.50pm Clermont Bears Ladies v Emu Park Ladies
2.15pm Gladstone Brothers v Emu Park Emus
2.40pm Dysart Bulls Ladies v Emu Park Ladies
3.05pm Bluff Rabbitohs v Gladstone Brothers
3.30pm Blackwater Crushettes v Clermont Bears Ladies
3.55pm Emerald Cowboys v Emu Park Emus
4.20pm Blackwater Crushettes v Emu Park Ladies
4.45pm Bluff Rabbitohs vs Emu Park Emus
5.10pm Dysart Bulls Ladies v Clermont Bears Ladies
5.35pm Emerald Cowboys v Gladstone Brothers
6pm Women’s grand final
6.30pm Men’s grand final
7pm Presentations
