Statewide score wrap: Cowboys legend back from the wilderness
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An eleventh-hour plea for players has landed Atherton Roosters a North Queensland Cowboys premiership star they hope can steer their side to finals in 2023.
Scott Bolton returned from four years in the rugby league wilderness in a 46-22 loss to Cairns Brothers at Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium on Saturday.
Getting on the park was an achievement in itself with the club staring at not fielding a team weeks out from the season, before new administration led by another former Cowboys forward in president and A grade assistant coach Paul Pensini rallied to build a solid squad within days.
Bolton, 35, was one of those seasoned campaigners lured out of retirement and despite limited preparation, Pensini said he gave his side an immediate boost with his size matching it with a powerful Brothers line-up.
“Once ‘Bolts’ came on to the field with his size we got a little bit better play the ball. Brothers did well to get us on our back and win the ruck all night so we didn’t have a lot of quick play the ball so our halves were limited to really create anything,” Pensini said.
“He’s been a huge acquisition. He hasn’t played for a number of years but just his presence around the younger boys, you just can’t buy that experience.
“Yes, he was short of a run but we still got some good minutes out of him on the weekend. His experience and talk within the group was invaluable.”
He said Bolton’s presence bringing 247 games of NRL knowledge to training would also be a huge part of the evolution of the club’s young players, including middle forward Connor Griffin – who punched above his weight against Brothers – and more like him coming through the grades.
The Roosters have plenty to work on, with Pensini hailing Brothers a “very well drilled outfit” as one would expect of the reigning premiers.
The Brethren, led around by Northern Pride-experienced skipper Jordan Biondi-Odo, had eight different tryscorers including Fiji international and ex-Pride forward Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu.
“They were a lot bigger side than what we were able to put on the field, so we gave away a lot of weight and struggled winning the ruck all game,” Pensini said.
“We were a bit down on what numbers we would have liked in that first grade side but we were still competitive, some very good signs there. We have got a lot work to do – we haven’t really had a pre-season at all – but I believe we’ll have a good competitive side throughout the year and we’ll definitely be pushing for a finals berth.
“I couldn’t question their effort on the weekend. The effort was all there, we just give away a bit of size and haven’t had a lot of time together. I’m super proud of them to be honest with you.”
Bolton isn’t the only ex-NRL player in the far north this year, with former NRL, State of Origin and Kangaroos outside back Josh Dugan joining Ivanhoes, where he helped lay on multiple tries playing fullback in his side’s Round 1 win.
QRL North
2023 FNQRL A Grade
Round 1 results
Mareeba Gladiators 56 def Edmonton Storm 26
Brothers Cairns 46 def Atherton Roosters 22
Ivanhoes Knights 40 def Innisfail Leprechauns 28
Yarrabah Seahawks 44 def Tully Tigers 34
Cairns Kangaroos 24 def Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 20
Ladder
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mareeba Gladiators | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 2 |
| 2 | Brothers Cairns | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 2 |
| 3 | Ivanhoes Knights | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| 4 | Yarrabah Seahawks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| 5 | Cairns Kangaroos | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| 6 | Southern Suburbs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 7 | Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -4 | 0 |
| 8 | Tully Tigers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -10 | 0 |
| 9 | Innisfail Leprechauns | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -12 | 0 |
| 10 | Atherton Roosters | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -24 | 0 |
| 11 | Edmonton Storm | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -30 | 0 |
NQBE Mackay A Grade Men's 2023
Starts April 1
2023 Rugby League Townsville District Men's A grade
Starts April 1
2023 Rugby League Townsville District Open Women
Starts April 1
Central region
2023 4BU/HITZ FM Bundaberg Rugby League A Grade
Round 1 results
Past Brothers 62 def Hervey Bay Seagulls 4
East Magpies 32 def Wallaroos 22
West Panthers 18 def Waves Tigers 14
Ladder
| # | Teams | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Past Brothers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58 | 2 |
| 2 | East Magpies | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| 3 | West Panthers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| 4 | Waves Tigers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -4 | 0 |
| 5 | Wallaroos | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -10 | 0 |
| 6 | Hervey Bay Seagulls | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -58 | 0 |
2023 Emerald Industrial Supplies Men's A Grade
Round 1 results
Springsure Mountain Men 30 def Emerald Brothers 22
Dysart Bulls 30 def Emerald Tigers 16
Bluff Rabbitohs 26 def Middlemount Panthers 24
Peak Downs Pirates 34 def Blackwater Crushers 20
Ladder
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dysart Bulls | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 |
| 2 | Peak Downs Pirates | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 |
| 3 | Springsure Mountain Men | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| 4 | Bluff Rabbitohs | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 5 | Clermont Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 6 | Middlemount Panthers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 0 |
| 7 | Emerald Brothers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -8 | 0 |
| 8 | Blackwater Crushers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -14 | 0 |
| 9 | Emerald Tigers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -14 | 0 |
2023 SRO Technology Central Highlands Ladies Competition
Starts March 31
2023 Wellshot Hotel Central West Rugby League Senior Mens Competition
Round 4 results
Barcaldine Sandgoannas 72 def Winton Diamantina Devils 0
Longreach/Ilfracombe Tigers 26 def Blackall Magpies 12
Ladder
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Longreach/Ilfracombe Tigers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 54 | 6 |
| 2 | Barcaldine Sandgoannas | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 80 | 4 |
| 3 | Blackall Magpies | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 36 | 2 |
| 4 | Alpha Brumbies | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -16 | 2 |
| 5 | Winton Diamantina Devils | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | -154 | 0 |
Northern Districts Rugby League 2023 Men's Premiership
Round 1 results
Avondale Tigers 46 def Miriam Vale Magpies 26
Isis Devils 22 def South Kolan Sharks 20
Ladder
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avondale Tigers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 2 |
| 2 | Isis Devils | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Gin Gin Hawks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | South Kolan Sharks | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 0 |
| 5 | Miriam Vale Magpies | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -20 | 0 |
2023 Rockhampton A Grade Men
Round 2 results
Norths Chargers 38 def Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks 16
Rockhampton Brothers 30 def Yeppoon Seagulls 12
Ladder
| # | Teams | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norths Chargers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 4 |
| 2 | Emu Park Emus | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 42 | 2 |
| 3 | Rockhampton Brothers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 2 |
| 4 | Yeppoon Seagulls | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -32 | 0 |
| 5 | Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -64 | 0 |
2023 Intersport Yeppoon Rockhampton Open Womens Premiership
Round 2 results
Wallaby RLFC 44 def Tannum Sands Seagulls 0
Emu Park Emus 16 def Fiztroy/Gracemere Sharks 12
Yeppoon Seagulls 22 def Norths Chargers 0
Ladder
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emu Park Emus | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 4 |
| 2 | Wallaby RLFC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 44 | 2 |
| 3 | Rockhampton Brothers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 36 | 2 |
| 4 | Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | Yeppoon Seagulls | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -14 | 2 |
| 6 | Norths Chargers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -26 | 0 |
| 7 | Tannum Sands Seagulls | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -94 | 0 |
2023 Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League A Grade Men
Round 1 results
Caboolture Snakes 34 def Noosa Pirates 30
Coolum Colts 6 drew with Kawana Dolphins 6
Beerwah Bulldogs 34 def Caloundra Sharks 20
Nambour Crushers 28 def Maroochdore Swans 26
Ladder
| # | Teams | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beerwah Bulldogs | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
| 2 | Caboolture Snakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 3 | Nambour Crushers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 4 | Kawana Dolphins | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | Coolum Colts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Maroochydore Swans | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 0 |
| 7 | Noosa Pirates | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -4 | 0 |
| 8 | Caloundra Sharks | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -14 | 0 |
2023 Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Open Women
Round 1 results
Kawana Dolphins 46 def Gympie Devils 4
Caloundra Sharks 26 def Beerwah Bulldogs 18
Caboolture Snakes 26 def Noosa Pirates 0
Ladder
| # | Teams | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kawana Dolphins | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 4 |
| 2 | Caboolture Snakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 4 |
| 3 | Caloundra Sharks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 |
| 4 | Nambour Crushers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | Beerwah Bulldogs | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -8 | 0 |
| 6 | Noosa Pirates | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -26 | 0 |
| 7 | Gympie Devils | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -42 | 0 |
Toowoomba Rugby League Hutchinson Builders A Grade 2023
Starts April 1
TRL Toowoomba Sports Club Women 2023
Starts April 1
South East region
Ipswich Jets A Grade Cup
Round 1 results
Norths Tigers 30 def Redbank Plains Bears 22
Swifts Bluebirds 40 def Fassifern Bombers 16
Ladder
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swifts Bluebirds | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 2 |
| 2 | Norths Tigers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| 3 | Brothers Ipswich | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | Redbank Plains Bears | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -8 | 0 |
| 5 | Fassifern Bombers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -24 | 0 |
2023 Brisbane Rugby League Premier A Grade
Round 2 results
Carina Tigers 22 def Souths Junior Magpies 16
Wynnum Manly Juniors 34 def Bulimba Bulldogs 18
West Brisbane Panthers 22 def Beenleigh Pride 14
Valleys Diehards 54 def Pine Rivers Bears 0
Normanby Hounds 20 def Brighton Roosters 14
Ladder
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valleys Diehards | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 78 | 6 |
| 2 | Wynnum Manly Juniors | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 6 |
| 3 | Beenleigh Pride | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 |
| 4 | Souths Junior Magpies | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 5 | Bulimba Bulldogs | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -4 | 4 |
| 6 | West Brisbane Panthers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -4 | 4 |
| 7 | Carina Tigers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -16 | 4 |
| 8 | Normanby Hounds | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -18 | 4 |
| 9 | Brighton Roosters | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -14 | 2 |
| 10 | Pine Rivers Bears | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -74 | 2 |
