One day after what would have been his late mother Leisa’s 50th birthday, interchange front rower Flynn Purkis plunged over the line for a try in the second half of extra time.
The try broke the deadlock and paved the way for a drought breaking 34-26 victory for Wests Panthers over Easts Magpies in the Bundaberg Broadcasters A Grade Premiership Elimination Final at Across The Waves Sports Complex on Saturday.
Flynn, now 19, was a passenger in the car in which Leisa and his younger sister Emerson were tragically killed and with their names and images tattooed on his arms, he plays his every game in their memory.
Wests had lost their past five matches, while 2021 beaten grand finalists and early season title favourites Easts were on a three-game winning streak, and the Magpies looked in control when they established a 20-6 lead in the first half, but the Panthers reduced the deficit to 10 by half-time.
The Magpies were held scoreless in the second stanza, while the Panthers drew level at 20-all with two tries and one conversion, sending the match into two 10-minute halves of extra time.
Easts also scored first in the first half of extra-time, with halfback Andreas Nona, who has been outstanding all season, grabbing his second try to go with three first half conversions and one penalty in regulation time, and captain/coach Matt Craven adding the extras for this try.
But again Wests equalized at 26-all with a try to high-class lock Shaun Ezzy and veteran former dual BRL A Grade Player of the Year Clinton Horne, who played for Easts last year and was a former premiership winner for both Hervey Bay Seagulls (2016) and Waves Tigers (2018) stepping up to convert in just his fourth game of the season after suffering a serious shoulder injury back on April 23.
With scores deadlocked heading into the second half of extra-time, the Panthers hit the front for the first time with Flynn cracking the line to dive over in the third minute, before Clinton added the extras for a six-point lead.
Easts tried hard to respond, but Clinton took control, and also kicked a penalty, which was angrily disputed by the Magpies, with three minutes to go which gave them an eight-point safety buffer, which they guarded for their lives as the clock ticked away.
Meanwhile, Hervey Bay were struck down by a “bad flu” during the week, and they had a number of big outs, including three of their best, Logona Vetemotu, Jeri Pati, and Dion Bunyan, and Brothers were always in control against a very willing never-the-less Seagulls, establishing an 18-0 lead in even time, and never relenting.
Five-eighth, late season recruit and 2015 Courier-Mail Medallist for the In Trust Super Cup Best and Fairest Pat Templeman, again stamped his class for the Brethren, amassing 22 points with two tries and a perfect seven conversions, while powerhouse centre Connor Jones also bagged a double for the second week in a row.
In the Northern Districts Men’s Premiership, hosts Miriam Vale Magpies charged straight into the grand final in their 100th anniversary season with a 54-10 Major Semi-final demolition of defending champions South Kolan Sharks on Sunday.
Veteran fullback Robert Hughes led the charge with a hat-trick of tries, while centre Charles Hopf and winger Mitchum Dawes each bagged double.
But the Sharks will get a second chance in the Preliminary Final this Saturday against Avondale Tigers who outclassed Gin Gin Hawks 28-4 in the Minor Semi-final.
The unbeaten Gin Gin Hawkettes’ juggernaut rolled on in the Women’s League Tag, whitewashing Agnes Water Marlins 46-0 with Ruby Tobin chalking up a double.
AFL
Dean Lawton kicked seven goals to run amok as second placed hosts Brothers Bulldogs arrested a two-match losing streak in the Wide Bay Marquis Macadamias Senior Men’s Premiership with a 20.4 (124) to 4.8 (32) thrashing of Bay Power on Saturday.
Meanwhile after three straight victories to resurrect their season, hosts Across The Waves Eagles served it up to Hervey Bay early at Frank Coulthard Oval, but the Bombers weathered the storm and maintained their perfect record with an 8.19 (67) to 3.4 (22) triumph despite being wasteful in front of goal.
Football
Tyler Bock was the hero, scoring the goal to give SC Corinthians their first win of the season in the Football Queensland Premier League Wide Bay Men’s Division, pipping their hosts Doon Villa 1-0 at Villa Park on Saturday.
Corinthians remain last on the ladder, trailing Granville on goal difference, but the win was reward for effort through a tough first season in the competition.
Meanwhile, Across The Waves whitewashed Granville 10-0 with a four-goal haul to Sam Meyer and three each to Nykodah Smith and Bryce Hibberd.
Waves were also good winners in the FQPL WB Women’s Division, shutting out Tinana 5-0 with Tayla Zielke continuing her goal scoring exploits with a double.
The unbeaten Fraser Flames however moved one step closer to the League Championship with a 5-2 win over Bingera, who dropped to six points behind fourth seeds United Park Eagles, who accounted for the lowly United Warriors 4-0, with Taylor Stumer hammering in three goals.
Hockey
Raiders/Rovers continued to dominate the Bundaberg Hockey Division 1 Women’s competition at Hinkler Park, downing struggling two-times defending champions Waves Cities 4-0 on Friday night, and putting All Blacks to the sword 8-0 on Saturday with stalwart Sue Kendall setting the standard with three cracking goals.
Arrows/Athletics battled out a scoreless draw with All Blacks on Friday, then got the points on a Cities forfeit on Saturday.
Cities marched on full steam ahead in their Men’s title defence, disposing of All Blacks I 7-1 on Saturday and Arrows 9-0 on Sunday, with Sam Aitkenhead and Lachlan McLennan grabbing doubles in both games, and Joel Latham cutting loose with three of the best against Arrows.
Raiders/Rovers’ Men also did the double, with Hiro Manu striking three times in an 8-0 beating of All Blacks II on Saturday, and Josh Crow and Colby Zahn each doubling up in a 6-3 result against All Blacks I a day later.
Netball
Reigning champions Waves Gold shored up top spot on the Bundaberg Warren Family Homes Division 1 Premiership table in a clinical 53-41 display in their Round 13 match-up at the Superpark on Saturday.
Waves’ bottom of the table Blue team however went down fighting to second placed Brothers Hurricanes 37-29.
Waves Gold are almost certain to clinch the minor premiership as they play their Blue side and Alloway Blue in the last two rounds.
Here are all the scores:
AFL WIDE BAY
MARQUIS MACADAMIAS SENIOR MEN’S PREMIERSHIP
HERVEY BAY BOMBERS 0.4, 4.7, 6.15, 8.19 (67) d ATW EAGLES 2.2, 2.2, 2.3, 3.4 (22).
Eagles – Goals: Jason Bethune, Fletcher Stone, Lachlan Andrews; Best: Michael Blair, Joshua Hayhoe, Billy Hawkes, Tom Laycock, Connor Stone, Jonathan Sattler.
BROTHERS BULLDOGS 4.0, 10.0, 17.2, 20.4 (124) d BAY POWER 1.2, 1.5, 2.5, 4.8 (32).
Bulldogs – Goals: Dean Lawton 7, Jaykob Gooder 3, Tristan Taylor 3, Harrison Tancredi 2, Brett Kniese 2, Ben Davis, Griffin Webb, Joel Saunders, Lee Taylor; Best: Dean Lawton, Tristan Taylor, Joel Saunders, Adam Harber, Tyson Jater, Cody Woodrow.
RESERVES MEN
ATW EAGLES 1.2, 3.2, 4.4, 7.5 (47) d BAY POWER 2.2, 3.7, 3.7, 3.7 (25).
Eagles – Goals: Jarrod Wisewould 3, Arty Richardson 2, Daniel Nimmo; Best: Haroldas Ambrutis, Darcy Tilders, Private player, Jarrod Wisewould, Kyle Fagan, Seth Brown.
BROTHERS BULLDOGS 2.0, 5.4, 6.4, 11.7 (73) d MARYBOROUGH 1.1, 1.1, 2.3, 2.4 (16).
Bulldogs – Goals: Shane Brady 3, Joel Fry 2, Corey Taylor, Braden Krebs, Joel Smith, Matthew Wattie, Zak Mercieca, Nash Kuorikoski. Best: Nash Kuorikoski, Joel Anderson, Jay Rivett, Cody Timms, Shane Brady, Joel Smith.
UNDER-17 BOYS
HERVEY BAY BOMBERS 3.0, 4.3, 7.4, 10.7 (67) d ATW EAGLES 1.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.3 (27).
Eagles – Goals: Jake Cook 2, Baxter Stone; Best: Baxter Stone, Isak Hose, Fletcher Stone, Dominic Frassetto, Harrison Lanzon.
BAY POWER 1.0, 2.2, 3.3, 5.10 (40) d BROTHERS BULLDOGS 3.0, 4.0, 6.2, 6.2 (38).
Bulldogs – Goals: Harrison Tancredi 5, Darcy Burgess; Best: Ethan Charlesworth, Tommas Sullivan, Darcy Burgess, Lachlan Stevenson, Harrison Tancredi, Jack Sullivan.
UNDER-14 MIXED
BAY POWER 0.2, 3.5, 3.6, 4.7 (31) d BROTHERS BULLDOGS 1.2, 1.2, 2.2, 2.3 (15).
Bulldogs – Goals: Mitchell Webster, Charlie Steele. Best: Nikita Clarey, Charlie Steele, Millen Buckle-Perkins, Mitchell Webster, Leah French, Maylee Wade.
HERVEY BAY BOMBERS 6.4, 15.7, 22.14, 27.19 (181) d ATW EAGLES 0.0 (0).
Eagles – Best: Kaleb Bentley, Zacariah James, Silas Martin, Ryley Nimmo, Lara Beer, Talianna Coyne.
UNDER-12 MIXED
HERVEY BAY BOMBERS BLACK 1.2, 4.3, 4.4, 7.6 (48) d HERVEY BAY BOMBERS RED 1.0, 1.1, 2.1, 4.3 (27).
BROTHERS BULLDOGS 22.12 (66) d MARYBOROUGH 1.0 (6).
Bulldogs – Goals: Jarryd Brady 6, Kane Anderson 3, Caleb Box 3, Fraser Johnson 2, Nullah Cloke, Luke Marlyn, Chelsea French; Best: Caleb Box, Nullah Cloke, Kane Anderson, Hayden Martin, Connor Simpson.
BAY POWER 3.1, 5.8, 11.14, 18.19 (127) d ATW EAGLES 0.0 (0).
Eagles – Best: Anthony Roebuck, Connor Doherty, Kallam Wynn, Edward Wahren, Liliko Mason, Lily Brown.
FOOTBALL WIDE BAY
FQPL WB MEN
SC CORINTHIANS 1 (Tyler Bock) d DOON VILLA 0.
ATW 10 (Sam Meyer 4, Nykodah Smith 3, Bryce Hibberd 3) d GRANVILLE 0.
FQPL WB WOMEN
FRASER FLAMES 5 (Emily McDougall 3, K Christiansen, S Peters) d BINGERA 2 (M Gaston, M Sergiacomi).
UPE 4 (Taylor Stumer 3, R Doolan) d UNITED WARRIORS 0.
ATW 5 (Tayla Zielke 2, Z Sobczak, T Giovannoni, L Thatcher) d TINANA 0.
FQ WB U23 MEN
DOON VILLA 3 d SC CORINTHIANS 1 (J Slater).
FQPL WB U15
BAYSIDE STRIKERS 6 d UPE 0.
ATW 13 (Tino Giovannoni 5, Xavier Ulbl, Bowie Young 2, Noah Briggs, R Dexter, R Hack) d UNITED WARRIORS 0.
SUNBURY BLUES 3 d KSS JETS 0.
WB NORTH DIVISION 1 WOMEN
DIGGERS 3 (Paige Parker 2, M Van Der Horst) drew ATW 3 (Tarryn Crozier 2, K Stirrat).
UPE RED 7 (Lara Hamilton 4, Kylie Brislane 2, K Pegg) d BINGERA 0.
WB DIVISION 1 MEN
UNITED WARRIORS 4 d TINANA 0.
BARGARA 2 (Roger Hunter 2) d DIGGERS 0.
WB NORTH DIVISION 2 MEN
ATW 5 (Mitchell Capuzzo 4, Noah Kerslake) d UPE RED 0.
BINGERA CUTTERS 4 (Hunter Walsh 2, C Tranent, J Coros) d SC CORINTHIANS 1 (J Toto).
UPE GREEN 3 (Nick Maas 2, Nathan Kaandorp) d BARGARA 1.
DIGGERS GOLD 4 (C Collins, B Simpson) d BINGERA FIRE 2 (Cameron Brauer 2).
WB NORTH U15 DIVISION 1
BAV 5 (Zedd Peters 2, Cassius Amey 2, H Dogan) d GIN GIN 0.
BARGARA RED 5 (J Lucht 2, M Gough, Z Busby, L Eade) d ATW 3 (S Dexter 2, J Lamont).
WB NORTH U13 DIVISION 1
ATW 3 (M Barbera, M Currie, L Brillante) d BAV 0.
BINGERA 6 (Riley Bennier 4, R Mitchell, T Ogilvie) d DIGGERS 0.
HOCKEY BUNDABERG
Friday:
Div 1 Women
Raiders Rovers 4 (Amanda Wightman, Maddie Elliott 1, Susan Kendall 1, Latoya Larsen 1) defeated Waves Cities 0
All Blacks 0 drew with Arrows Athletics 0
Saturday:
U11s
Arrows Athletics 3 (Keinan Doodson 1, Hamish Cook 2) defeated Raiders Rovers 1 (Stella Dwyer)
Waves Cities 5 (Lily Pashley 1, Flynn Lloyd 1, Sophie Aitkenhead 3) defeated All Blacks 0
U13s
Raiders Rovers 2 (Molly Crow 1, Silvana Powell 1) drew with Arrows Athletics 2 (Tully Dorgan 2)
Waves Cities 6 (Monique Koosney 1, Thomas Rach 1, Bailey Hall 1, Riley Noonan 3) defeated All Blacks 0
U16s
Raiders Rovers 1 (Bayley Fagg 1) defeated Waves Cities 0
Arrows Athletics Blue 4 (Liam Taske 1, Sam Kenny 1, Bridget Stehbens 1, Kirra Bryant 1) defeated Arrows Athletics Gold 0
Div 2 Women
Raiders Rovers 4 (Angela Watson 1, Reegan Wightman 1, Alana McManus 2) defeated All Blacks 0
Arrows Athletics won by forfeit from Waves Cities
Div 1 Women
Raiders Rovers 8 (Abby Heffernan 1, Amanda Wightman 1, Latoya Larsen 1, Minka Elliott 2, Susan Kendall 3) defeated All Blacks 0
Arrows Athletics won by forfeit from Waves Cities
Men
Raiders Rovers 8 (Bayley Fagg 1, Bryce Cislowski 1, Josh Crow 1, Ryan Lee 2, Hiro Manu 3) defeated All Blacks 2 – 0
Waves Cities 1 – 7 (Jarred Taylor 1, Joel Latham 1, Harrison Baldwin 1, Sam Aitkenhead 2, Lachlan McLennan 2) defeated All Blacks 1 (Isaac Wales 1)
Arrows Athletics 1 (Harrison Gardiner 1) defeated Waves Cities 2 – 0
Sunday:
U11s
Raiders Rovers 5 (Will Baldry 2, Stella Dwyer 3) defeated All Blacks 3 (Eamon D’Albret 3)
Arrows Athletics 3 (Jessica Stehbens 1, Hamish Cook 2) defeated Waves Cities 0
U13s
Raiders Rovers 14 (Pippa Elliott 1, Stella Dwyer 1, Ava Baldry 1, Silvana Powell 2, Lola Grabbe 2, Dominic Wallace 3, Molly Crow 4) defeated All Blacks 0
Arrows Athletics 4 (Jessica Stehbens 2, Tully Dorgan 2) defeated Waves Cities 0
U16s
All Blacks 7 (Tristan Storm 1, Hunter Lane 1, Indah Lawrence 1, Tim Wales 2, Kalen Wilke 2) defeated Arrows Athletics Gold 1 (Amelia Hammond 1)
Waves Cities 0 drew with Arrows Athletics Blue 0
Div 2 Women
Raiders Rovers 3 (Kassie Pyke 1, Amanda Wightman 1, Reegan Wightman 1) defeated Arrows Athletics 0
Waves Cities 1 (Kris Flanders 1) defeated All Blacks 0
Men
Raiders Rovers 6 (Neil Jolliffe 1, Bayley Fagg 1, Josh Crow 2, Colby Zahn 2) defeated All Blacks 1 – 3 (Thomas Chadwick 1, Isaac Wales 2)
Waves Cities 1 – 9 (Jarred Taylor 1, Lewis Dexter 1, Sam Aitkenhead 2, Lachlan McLennan 2, Joel Latham 3) defeated Arrows Athletics 0
NETBALL BUNDABERG
WARREN FAMILY HOMES PREMIERSHIPS
DIVISION 1: BROTHERS HURRICANES 37 d WAVES BLUE 29; WAVES GOLD 53 d NATIVES AIM HEARING MAGPIES 41.
DIVISION 2: ALLOWAY RED 39 d NATIVES KOOKABURRAS 28; WAVES RED 31 d WAVES ROYALS 30.
MASTERS: ALLOWAY GREEN 33 d NATIVES MACAWS 23; NATIVES SWANS 66 d BROTHERS TSUNAMI 29.
DIVISION 3: WAVES AQUA 37 d ALLOWAY YELLOW 20; BROTHERS LIGHTNING 48 d FUSION SOLOMONS 25; NATIVES ROSELLAS 43 d BROTHERS MONSOONS 24.
DIVISION 4: NATIVES FIREBIRDS 40 d ALLOWAY AQUA 38; ALLOWAY MAROON 26 d BROTHERS TWISTERS 19; NATIVES PARROTS 32 d BROTHERS TORNADOES 29.
DIVISION 5: WAVES PINK 32 d NATIVES LORIKEETS 25.
DIVISION 6: WAVES EMERALDS 37 d FUSION BRENDAN O’DONNELL 19; WAVES SAPPHIRES 78 d NATIVES PEACOCKS 19.
DIVISION 7: NATIVES KINGFISHERS 40 d ALLOWAY EMERALDS 25; FUSIONS SANDHILLS 31 d BROTHERS TYPHOONS 16.
DIVISION 8: BROTHERS VOLCANOES 33 d WAVES MAROON 16; BROTHERS WHIRLWINDS 20 d ALLOWAY GOLD 12.
DIVISION 9: WAVES TEAL 21 d BROTHERS AVALANCHES 11; FUSION SHIFT AUTO 27 d NATIVES HAWKS 26.
DIVISION 10: BROTHERS HEAT 37 d FUSION PRECISION 14; WAVES JADE 10 d ALLOWAY ORANGE 4; BROTHERS BLIZZARDS 15 d WAVES FUSCHIA 13.
RUGBY LEAGUE BUNDABERG
BUNDABERG BROADCASTERS A GRADE PREMIERSHIP
Elimination Final: WESTS PANTHERS 34 (Viliama Molisi, Bruce Ikamanu, Clinton Horne, Shaun Ezzy, Flynn Purkis, Tyson Douglas tries; Chris Robinson 3, Clinton Horne 2 goals) d EASTS MAGPIES 26 (Andreas Nona 2, Trent Seeds, Aisake Masiwala tries; Andreas Nona 4, Matthew Craven goals).
Qualifying Final: PAST BROTHERS 42 (Patrick Templeman 2, Connor Jones 2, Eden Hess, Tyrell Priestley, Bryden Blair tries; Pat Templeman 7 goals) d HERVEY BAY SEAGULLS 22 (Issac Mielczarek, Malachi Lawton, Dominic Maguire, Ethan Ballard tries; David Woodbridge 3 goals).
RESERVE GRADE
Elimination Final: WAVES TIGERS 20 (Lepani Banuve 2, Kale Johnson tries) d PAST BROTHERS 6 (Joshua Zweedyk try; Brendon McKeown goal).
Qualifying Final: HERVEY BAY SEAGULLS 20 (Dylan Crockford, Lachlan Fisher, Ronald Fisher tries; Joel Denduck 4 goals) d EASTS MAGPIES 16 (Isaiah Gala, Danny Moran, Brody Orpin tries; Jackson Paulson 2 goals).
UNDER-18
Major semi: PAST BROTHERS 34 (Wil Simmons 2, Toby Kelly, Zander Evans, Brad Shorter, Jack Picaro tries; Caio Kerr 5 goals) d WESTS PANTHERS 16 (William Maule, Zachary Zerafa, Rhys Felgate tries; Ryan Bugeja 2 goals).
Minor semi: WALLAROOS 46 d HERVEY BAY SEAGULLS 4.
BUNDABERG JUNIOR HITZ FM 93.9 CHALLENGE CUPS
UNDER-16
BUNDABERG BROTHERS 32 (Travis Larner 4, Blake Powter, William Bebendorf tries; Blake Powter 4 goals) d HERVEY BAY SEAGULLS 26 (Jordan Wellington, Jamall Nelson, Iliesa Baravilala, Noah Douglas-Denduck, Jordan Hislop tries; Ethan Hore 3 goals).
WESTS 26 (Noah Law 3, Isaiah Freeman, James Faulkner tries; Noah Law 3 goals) d WAVES 14 (Bentley Rizzo 2, Cooper Black tries; Sebastyn Brennan goal).
UNDER-15
WALLAROOS 18 d BUNDABERG BROTHERS 16 (Toby Collins 2, Ryan Charteris tries; Jomar Gustilo 2 goals).
WAVES 46 (Bentley Rizzo, Robert Hadwen 2, Owen Hess 2, Reghan Fischer 2, Riley Maule, Brody Allantries; Robert Hadwen 3, Jimmy Gear, Brody Allan goals) d WESTS 16 (Malachi Marsh, Darnell Saunders tries; Darnell Saunders goal).
UNDER-14
WALLAROOS 28 d BUNDABERG BROTHERS 18 (Jacob Baker, Jesse McArdle, Tom Elphinstone tries; Jeremiah Solomon goal).
WESTS 24 (Nait Gough 2, Will Forrester, Lael Lampton tries; Nait Gough 4 goals) d WAVES TIGERS 12 (Noah McGuire 3 tries).
UNDER-13
WAVES 20 (Brayden Foster, Joel Frazer, Beau Moxon, Ecian Rapada tries; Joseph Griffies 2 goals) drew HERVEY BAY SEAGULLS 20.
MAGPIES 16 (Levi Hack 2, Harrison Candy tries; Levi Hack 2 goals)) d MARYBOROUGH BROTHERS 12.
WALLAROOS 56 d BUNDABERG BROTHERS 10 (Harry Elphinstone 2 tries; Kobe Hall goal).
WESTS 28 (LeBron Tanner, Kaleb Stevens, Nathan Eggmolesse tries; Nathan Eggmolesse 3, LeBron Tanner goals) d MARLINS 20 (Zayden McKay, Jake Gillard, Silas Mojica, Jake Bowen tries; Silas Mojica 2 goals).
NORTHERN DISTRICTS
MEN
Minor semi-final: AVONDALE 28 (Daniel Kalpotok, Nathan Leather, Dylan Wagner, Soane Suluka 2, Malcolm Lambell tries; Muthuna Jones, Brendan Prossliner goals) d GIN GIN 4 (Tyren Hoyle tries).
Major semi-final: MIRIAM VALE 54 (Robert Hughes 3, Charles Hopf 2, Mitchum Dawes 2, Ricky Noy, Matthew Fennell, Jake Causton tries; Robert Hughes, Ricky Noy 7 goals) d SOUTH KOLAN 10 (Riley Spencer 2 tries; Cem Rohdmann goal).
WOMEN’S LEAGUE TAG
Major semi-final: GIN GIN 46 (Ruby Tobin 2, Tamara Young, Jessica Galea, Karrie Hills, Kristy Orpin, Mia Wochnik, J Orpin, Sharna Curtis tries; Ruby Tobin 2, Emma Collinson 3 goals) d AGNES WATER 0.
WIDE BAY OPEN WOMEN
SOUTH BURNETT 18 d BUNDABERG BEARS 12.
