Sport
7 June, 2021
Local rugby success
Pittsworth State High School student Zac Kahler travelled to the Sunshine Coast to represent the Darling Downs at the Rugby League State Championships.
Zac, who joined players from Stanthorpe, Gatton, Pittsworth, Dalby and Toowoomba to make up the Darling Downs team, played dummy half off the bench and was very strong in defence, having to defend against very big forward packs.
The Darling Downs team was accompanied by coach Matt Jahnke and team manager Adam Cronin who were part of the Pittsworth Danes 2016 Premiership as assistant coach and player.
Mr Cronin, who is also a teacher at Pittsworth State High School, said Zac, who is a current member of the Pittsworth under 18 team, has gained a lot from the opportunity he had to play against the best teams in the state.
The 16-18 years carnival was held at Kawana Sports Precinct and for the first time this year it was a combined carnival with the under 15s.
There was a total of 24 teams that competed in the championships.
Many current NRL players have played at this carnival in recent years including David Fifita, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Cory Paix, Jake Simpkin, Tom Deardon, Xavier Coates, Tanah Boyd and Reece Walsh.
The Darling Downs team results are as follows:
Day 1: Defeated South West 50-4.
Day 2: Lost to Northern 18-6 (Majority of the northern team were in the Mal Meninga State Cup and were runners up in that competition)
Day 3: Lots to South Coast Maroons 36-10
Day 4: Defeated South West 36-6
