In the second half of the season (six games so far) they have 184 points for and only 39 against.

It’s a mark of how close the side has pulled together over the last two months.

In the buildup to Saturday’s match, Emu’s 2007 premiership winning Captain/Coach Donald Thorn and Hooker Trent Raymond were on hand to present the team with their jerseys and offer some words of encouragement.

Subsequently, Goondiwindi went to work from the opening whistle.

It was during the 8th minute when the dynamic Andrew McPherson took a quick penalty tap and barged his way over from seven metres out.

The first half saw further tries to flanker Sam Munsie and halfback Scott Jackson.

With the forward pack hammering Roma’s goal line, it was from the back of a ruck that Jackson threw a little dummy and then speared through the Roma defenders.

Jackson is fast making a habit of picking up man of the match honours.

The second half saw the Echidnas mount a challenge with a couple of well-executed set plays resulting in tries.

However the result was never in doubt.

Although try scoring machine Matt Tully was unavailable this week due to an injury sustained after last week’s match against Rangers, his replacement Tim Cuthbert, on debut, had a strong game and managed to beat two defenders to plant the ball out wide after some good lead work from centre Pearce Saunders.

Further tries to Saunders and fullback Terry Gleeson sealed the win.

Saunders would finish with five conversions from six attempts.

B-Grade go down 40 -7

Coach Anton Kowalenko will be busy analyzing where it all went wrong for the home side in what could be seen as a major blow to his side’s finals chances.

On paper he appears to the have the recipe right with a strong mix of size, stamina, youth and experience.

In a match that may have decided who will play the Dalby Wheatmen in the major semi-final, the Echidnas brought one of the stronger B-Grade sides they’ve fielded for some time.

In their previous meeting at Roma, the Echidnas could not manage a point against the dominant Emus, going down 10-nil.

Five-eighth Luke Fritz scored his side’s only try and went on to land the conversion.

Greg McNulty was the man of the match. He plays well above his weight every week and is fearless when perched at the top of a lineout.

Goondiwindi may rue this loss for some time yet.

Fullback Alex North and impressive U20’s back rower Lee Harwood departed Riddles Oval in the back of an ambulance.

It is expected to be some weeks before either player recovers fully.

Subsequently, their 2008 campaigns appear to be over.

With fellow young gun Kenny Schmidt also nursing a shoulder injury, U20’s coach Mick McKenzie will be hard pressed to field a competitive side against competition leaders Toowoomba Bears this weekend.

C Grade win 24-10

In one of the most entertaining C Grade matches of the season, Lachlan ‘Hellboy’ Woods collected the man of the match honours. The supremely fit Woods also featured in the A and B Grade matches. Tries were scored by centre Alex Sprott, five-eighth Reg McGrady and back rower Jeff Suhr. Hooker Dave Robb had a great day with the boot. He kicked four goals.

Thorn Gift

Queensland Country representative player Sam Munsie has laid claim to being the quickest Goondiwindi player over 100 meters after he took out the Thorn Gift which was run at the conclusion of the senior game. With only limited pre-race form to his credit, he was heavily backed by pundits to win the annual event that marks the support given to the Goondiwindi Rugby Club by the Thorn family.