THE weekend’s BRL Round Robin Carnival gave an indication of where clubs are in their pre-season preparation with the Tenterfield Tigers looking strong.
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Ruby League Park played host to teams from Tenterfield, Stanthorpe, Wallangarra and Killarney with games played across three grades.
Gate takings indicate 400 to 500 people sat pitch side on Saturday.
The A grade clash between Tenterfield and a rejuvenated Wallangarra started things off with the home side taking the honours 22-18.
“We started sloppy as expected but picked up in the second half. They have improved out of sight and like us, they’ll field an almost entirely new side this year,” Tigers club president Brendan Minns said.
Stanthorpe versus Killarney followed and the Gremlins showed they will be a force this season as they ran out 20-6 winners over last year’s premiers Killarney.
The ladies continued Tenterfield’s strong start with a low scoring 6-0 win over Wallangarra.
The Tigers took on bitter rivals Stanthorpe in the next game but were downed by the Gremlins 6 -4.
“By that time we’d started to gel but so had Stanthorpe. She was physical,” Minns said.
Killarney lost the next A grade encounter against Wallangarra 20-18 before Tenterfield played off against Stanthorpe in the final.
“We were up 8-0 at half time and then 12-6 and with a minute to go it was 12-12.
“We kicked off again and they got a penalty,” Minns said.
Gremlins recruit Jason Wilmot converted to win the grand final and left the Tigers lamenting costly mistakes.
It wasn’t all disappointment though as the Tenterfield ladies side won their grand final and the Tigers under 18’s had a comfortable win over Stanthorpe in their first hit out this year.
Minns said they’ll now go into the season full of positivity and ready to knock Stanthorpe off their perch.
Afterwards the club held their jersey auction and Minns was left counting any injuries.
“We have a few knocks and bruises and unfortunately Ben Battistuzzi looks like he fractured his collar bone.”
The day was also an opportunity for representative selectors to pick their side with Jim Loneragan, Brendan Minns, Jake Kelly, Jack Daniels, Josh Lucas and Jeremy Parker all picked to partake in the trip to Miles in the coming weeks.
Minns said if it weren’t for unavailability a number of other guys would have been selected.
“I’m real proud of the efforts from everyone on the day,” he said.
Tenterfield will begin their season on April 18 against Killarney in Tenterfield and back it up with an Anzac Day clash against Stanthorpe at home too.
