SEVEN players from the Border Bushrangers side have been selected in a South West outfit following a strong showing in Miles on Saturday.
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The representative side consisting players from the Border Rugby League competition headed west for the weekend to take on a Roma and District team.
Tenterfield was strongly represented with five Tigers players pulling on the Bushrangers jersey in the A grade.
Graham Smith took on coaching duties and said he was pleased with the result, despite his side losing the tussle in the end.
“I’m pretty happy with the outcome. We were dominant through the middle but they had some classy outside men,” Smith said.
At the final whistle Roma won 50-36.
Graham said he was disappointed that his side gave away some cheap points.
“We gave them a few soft tries – a couple of sneaky dummy half tries which I hate. “
Smith said in spite of the loss it was an entertaining battle and he was thrilled to see seven players selected for the next echelon of rep football.
Their second scheduled fixture was canned after Far South West pulled out for the second year running.
“That was disappointing. I think we could have beaten them.”
Smith had to contend with a few early casualties with Tigers player Jim Loneragan missing the tie and former Tigers man Geoff Swan also ruled out.
Tenterfield’s Jake Kelly and Jack Daniels were both selected for a South West representative side that will compete against other sides from around Queensland, in May.
Smith will also take charge of the South West side.
“We should have a pretty handy side,” he said.
“The weather should be a big advantage for us – it shouldn’t have cooled too much by then so there will still be a dry heat.”
His side has been pooled with Bundaberg, Rockhampton and North Burnett.
The winner of the group will play the winner of a second pool in a grand finale.
An under 18’s side also took the field for their own clash on Saturday and struggled against Roma going down 36-7.
Brendan Minns coached the side and said they did “bloody well” despite the score line.
“We picked up a few early injuries – any game you’re going to struggle with just 14 men,” Minns said.