By Jacob Grams QRL community content producer and Tania Phillips
The Border Rugby League Men ‘s premiership trophy is staying on the Queensland side with the Texas Terriers taking the win in the dying minutes of the game 26-24 at Reg Saunders Oval in Texas at the weekend.
In a year that saw the competition lose two clubs before a ball was kicked, the two teams proved there is still plenty of competition left in the Border competition the always tenacious Terriers came back against the Boggabilla-based Macintyre Warriors.
It was a fitting career end to one of the stalwarts of the game across the region, Terriers captain Cam Sweedman.
Sweedman had previously played in the Toowoomba A grade competition
Going out a champion was extra sweet for Sweedman, who was among the core group of people who got Texas fielding a team again after Covid, starting it up in 2022 and winning the title that year.
He was due to hang up the boots for good last year, saying he would retire if they secured the premiership again, but promising to go on if they didn’t.
When the final siren went on grand final day 2023, the trophy was just about in their grasp, only for a penalty goal from 42m out to sink them by one point.
It didn’t appear Sweedman, who scored his side’s only first half try, would get the result he wanted again this year with the Warriors up 24-10 with 15 minutes remaining, but he said he “had all the confidence in the world” his side could charge home.
The matchwinner in the 78th minute came off the lock’s quick play-the-ball, before he stood to appreciate the magic unfolding.
“I got a quick play-the-ball for Jack (Cleversley, Terriers hooker), who got a little scoot, made a bit of a break and but a kick through for Malik (Woodbridge, Terriers fullback) to score in the corner,” Sweedman said.
Border Rugby League Men’s Competition
Grand final
Texas Terriers 26 def Macintyre Warriors 24
Meanwhile the Stanthorpe Gremlins will host their Presentation Day on Sunday 8 September 2024 at Sullivan Oval. Kicking-off at 11am.
