Sport
23 May, 2025
First half blitz sees Bears men home
In last weekend’s Toowoomba Rugby League (TRL) round the Oakey Bears ran up a commanding lead against Dalby to ensure the contest was effectively over at half time.
Men’s A Grade
Oakey finally played to their potential with one of their best wins in recent years.
The Bears scored six tries to nil to lead 32-0 at half time.
Ash Taylor was tremendous, especially his kicking game.
Time and time again, his accuracy into Dalby’s in-goal was superb and if his high-balls weren’t just outside the Diehards try line, they were close.
Young Bears recruit hooker Robert Kennedy made an eye catching debut.
John Mayla made a point of difference.
His brutal hit-ups paved the way for their back line to capitalise.
To Dalby’s credit, they responded well in the second half scoring five tries to Oakey’s one but the damage was done.
Chris Woodbridge and Josh Chappell tried hard to get their team going.
Bears centres Marcus Spence and Joey Alberts relished the consistent metres their forwards made and they were having a field day.
It was a refreshing win in this year’s A Grade competition.
Oakey is to be congratulated especially for winning away.
Player of the Match and captain-coach Ash Taylor said the Bears still need to work on their second halves, after throwing away an 18-0 lead last week.
“We sat down and had honest conversations and trained the house down on Tuesday and Thursday and put in the effort, and the boys reaped the rewards on the weekend,” he told TRL Media.
“We’re still gelling, it’s still early in the season.
“Credit to Dalby - they really put it to us in the second half and we’ll learn a lot out of that.”
Try-scorer Richard Murray said the lessons from last week had been heeded.
“We talked about staying in the grind both halves and got the chocolates,” he said.
The Bears play Warwick in the match of the round this week on Sunday at The Den.
Oakey Bears 38 (Charlie Adams, Dylan Chown, John Mayla, Joey Alberts, Marcus Spence, Richard Murray, Fine Faingaa tries Charlie Adams 5 goals) defeated Dalby Diehards 24 (Ryan Chappell, Chris Woodbridge, Hunter James, Xavier Manley, Sam Fermor tries Chris Woodbridge 2 goals)
- Andrew O’Brien
Open Women
As expected, the Bears women beat a Diehards team who were languishing at the bottom of the ladder prior to this game.
On Sunday, Oakey women play Souths at The Den.
Oakey Bears 18 (Kiara Taylor, Kiara Schubert, Alicia Anderson, Casey Lingwoodock tries Jannalie Dwyer goal) defeated Dalby Diehards 4 (Yolande Gordon try)
Reserve Grade
Dalby Diehards 46 (Dylan Nobbs 2, William Hounslow, Michael Markey, Albert Dynevor, Lytana King-Togia, Brock Sankey, Brian-Adam Babington, Jamie Whyte tries Alexander Lindsay 5 goals) defeated Oakey Bears 12 (Cooper Prosser, Ashley Hooper tries Kristian Bond 2 goals)
