Over the past few months regional Rugby drew to a close in Queensland and each region was treated to an exciting season’s end.
A number of premiership droughts were broken, including the Dalby Wheatman’s first title since 2004, while Noosa and Surfers Paradise recorded undefeated seasons in their respective regions.
Check out what happened in the final round of each competition:
SUNSHINE COAST
Noosa recorded a perfect season, having been crowned undefeated champions of the Sunshine Coast competition with a 10-5 victory over Caloundra Lighthouse in the grand final.
It was the club’s 16th A Grade Title since 1982 and they celebrated in front of a large home crowd that spurred them on in the dying stages.
Noosa led 7-0 in the first half and then had to rely on a resilient defensive effort to hold on late in the second half.
The Dolphins were undefeated leading into the swansong, winning all 17 of their encounters, including a 33-9 win over Lighthouse in the major semi-final.
Earlier in the day, the Dolphins also secured the reserve grade title with a 22-17 victory over Caloundra.
GOLD COAST
The Surfers Paradise Dolphins secured both the first and second grade titles.
After an undefeated season, the Dolphins first grade side rolled into the grand final with momentum and they delivered when it mattered most, claiming the first grade title for the first time since 2008 with a 42-12 victory over Colleges.
Earlier in the day the Dolphins knocked off Helensvale in the second grade competition while the Gold Coast Eagles secured the third grade title with a win over Colleges.
DARLING DOWNS
The Dalby Wheatman lifted the Wagners Risdon Cup for the first time since 2004 with a 21-15 win over Goondiwindi at Gold Park, Toowoomba. The Wheatman trailed by four at half time but kept Goondiwindi scoreless in the second half to run away with the six-point victory on a wet and windy afternoon in Toowoomba.
The Toowoomba Rangers secured the B Grade title earlier in the day, running away with the match in extra time after the scores were locked up at 14-all.
While Goondiwindi grinded out a 19-14 victory over Dalby in the C Grade competition.
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND
Central Queensland was treated to an exciting grand final, as the Frenchville Pioneers held on to a 10-7 victory over the Dawson Valley Drovers.
The result ensured the Pioneers broke a near decade-long premiership drought in front of an ecstatic crowd at Biloela.
It was the tale of two halves for the Pioneers, who led 10-0 at half-time but failed to notch a point in the second half.
The match came right down to the wire, as the Drovers were awarded a penalty in the dying stages.
Trailing 10-7 as the sun set over the Biloela Rugby Union club, the Drovers opted for the touch line and were primed to steal victory.
However, the Pioneers defence held on, ensuring that the silverware would finally return to Frenchville.
MACKAY
Mackay City have secured the premiership with a thrilling 30-29 victory over the Kuttabul Camelboks in the grand final at BB Print Stadium.
Staring down the barrel of only their second defeat of the season, Mackay trailed at half-time but didn’t panic.
They came from behind to steal a one-point victory from the Camelbok’s grasp, to the delight of their home fans in Mackay.
After falling short in last year’s grand final Mackay started pre-season in November last year and were rewarded for their hard work in an absolute nail-biter.
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
The Emerald Rams secured the Arcadian Organic & Natural Meat Co. Central Highlands Cup with an impressive 26-5 grand final victory over the Clermont Bushpigs at Morton Park.
In a rematch of the major semi-final, the Rams led 13-0 at half-time and didn’t let their foot off the peddle.
They led 26-0 in the dying stages before Clermont crossed to give their fans something to cheer about after a long season.
View photos from the Central Highlands Grand Final here: http://bit.ly/2cDl1Pm Photo Credit: Terry Hill Photography.
TOWNSVILLE
Teachers West celebrated success in both the second and first grade competitions.
The Bulldogs second grade side knocked off Brothers with a clinical 27-7 performance, setting the scene for the first grade side’s Dudley Jones Premiership Cup decider at Mike Carney Toyota Park.
The minor premiers rose to the occasion and ran away with a 38-9 win in front of a large vocal crowd.
The third grade final saw Charters Towers claim the premiership with a 22-10 win over the Ingham Cutters.
Townsville Bulletin post-match report: http://bit.ly/2ckYetN
FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
The Barron Trinity Bulls have been crowned the champions of Far North Queensland after a composed 18-10 victory over JCU.
The Bulls got off to a flying start and led JCU 18-0, before JCU tried to inspire an almighty comeback, scoring two late tries.
The Bulls held on and centre Kele Degei was awarded the man-of-the-match.
Earlier in the day the Bulls also defeated the Wanderers 47-27 in the first division grand final.
QUEENSLAND SUBURBAN RUGBY
Normanby Cup Brothers fire ants spoiled the 20-year anniversary of Brisbane Irish with a hard fought 29-23 victory in the Normanby Cup grand final at Ballymore.
The win was the Brethren’s sixth premiership victory in nine seasons.
Pegg CupIn a replay of the 2015 grand final, the Wynnum Bugs secured the Pegg Cup for the second year in a row.
The Bugs came up against a spirited Springfield Hawks outfit but the Bugs proved too strong as they came away with a 23-17 victory.
Barber Cup Having only suffered one defeat in 2016, Caboolture were heavily favoured to take out the Barber Cup.
In the final Suburban Rugby match held at Ballymore, Caboolture delivered with a 25-15 victory over Springfield.
Brisbane Premiership Colts
A double to number eight Peter Collins helped University of Queensland to a 20-10 victory over Helensvale in the Brisbane Premiership Colts grand final.
