See every mud-soaked four-pointer the Broncos put on in Bundaberg for their first Trial Game of 2016 against the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night - nine tries in total!

BRISBANE BRONCOS 48 (Greg Eden 2, Aaron Whitchurch 2, Marion Seve, Jordan Kahu, James Roberts, Kodi Nikorima, Anthony Milford tries; Corey Parker 3, Jordan Kahu 3 goals) defeated the NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 26 (Kalyn Ponga, Josh Chudleigh, Jack Creith, Jahrome Hughes, Patrick Mago tries; Kyle Laybutt 3 goals).

A SPECIAL LETTER FROM THE BUNDABERG REGION QRL

Dear Paul White (Broncos CEO),

I just want to say a huge thank you for allocating the Brisbane Broncos V NQ Cowboys Trial Match to Bundaberg on the weekend played in front of 8,000 plus spectators.

Whilst it was played in shocking conditions all Brisbane Broncos players and staff were very understanding and cooperative with the local league committee plus could not have been more courteous to all fans and children regarding photos, autographs, and replying to any questions whenever asked.

Paul, it was an absolute pleasure to have your team and Wayne should be very proud of the way the players conducted themselves and performed as the comments received have been outstanding.

There is no doubt the Bundaberg and district have benefited from this trial game and already are requesting “when can we get more top class games” - such is their hunger for these events.

The goodwill and economic outcome from the event will no doubt help raise the spirits of all local citizens as was the intention.

The Bundaberg Rugby League, the Organising Committee and myself have learnt plenty from this exercise and this will only benefit all involved in the future.

In conclusion Paul, all I can say to you, the Brisbane Broncos Board and Wayne is a very big thank you for bringing this game to Bundaberg, an event the locals will remember for a very long time.

Cheers

Dave Pearce

Operations Manager

Queensland Rugby League

Central Division – Bundaberg Office





Match Report: Broncos Defeat Cowboys In Bundaberg - Bundaberg News Mail

By Craig Warhurst, Jim Alouat and Shane Jones, Bundaberg News Mail

THE class of the Brisbane Broncos has prevailed after they defeated the North Queensland Cowboys 48-26 at Salter Oval on Saturday night in the NRL Trial.

In front of more than 8,000 fans, who braved wet and windy conditions, the Broncos scored 38 unanswered points in the second half as fatigue hit the younger Cowboys side.

Playing with just two 2015 premiership players, their younger stars shined early, as they stunned the Broncos with great play in the middle to lead 22-10 at half time.

Bundaberg Cowboy Kyle Laybutt, combined with young fullback Kalyn Ponga, showed a glimpse of what the next generation can offer as they outplayed the Broncos in the first 40 minutes.

With Wayne Bennett overlooking the match the Broncos responded in the second half as they started to control the match. Three tries in the opening 17 minutes, including a second to Greg Eden, gave them the lead as they started to carve through the Cowboys defence.

Winger Jordan Kahu then became the first grand final player to score for the night, before Anthony Milford went on a solo run to give the team a 20-point lead in the final 10 minutes.

Young halfback Kodi Nikorima sealed the win with a seventh straight try before the Cowboys scored late as the game finished.

For the Cowboys Kalyn Ponda conceded the team struggled after the main break.

"In the second half we struggled and I got caught out position," he said "I'm not going to lie, I was extremely nervous, as I look up to a lot of those people," he said.

"Even when I was tackling them I was like wow I am actually doing this."

Man of the Match for the contest was Bronco Matt Gillett who received a trophy from Bundaberg Rum and a $500 cheque to give to charity Bundaberg Regional Rising.

Talking after the match though he said he didn't deserve the honour.

"Greg Eden probably deserved man of the match," he said.

"He was our best out there all night and played the full 80 minutes."

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett agreed and said Eden would be close to debuting for the team.

"If he plays like he did tonight he will be closer."

"It was a really good performance from him tonight under the conditions."

He added the Bundaberg Rugby League Association did a great job and commended his players for holding strong in the weather.

"It was pretty good under the conditions," he said.

"I thought the quality of football for both teams was pretty good."

Both teams will now head to England for the World Club Series next week before the first round of the NRL season.

Bundaberg Buoyed By Broncos Grand Final Revenge - ABC Wide Bay

By Rachel Riga, ABC Wide Bay

More than 8,000 dedicated rugby league fans braved the rain and the mud at Bundaberg's Salter Oval as the stage was set for a rematch of 2015's dramatic NRL Grand Final.

On Saturday night, spectators travelled from as far afield as Cairns to Coffs Harbour to watch the Brisbane Broncos defeat the North Queensland Cowboys 48-26 in their annual trial match.

But while the Broncos got revenge for their 2015 Grand Final loss, it was the fans who were the biggest winners.

Hosting players from two of the league's biggest teams has lifted community spirits in a time of need.

Three years on from Bundaberg's worst floods on record in January 2013, nerves have been tested as the region has been battered with severe storms, damaging winds and flash flooding.

Queensland Rugby League's Dave Pearce said when the match was announced in October last year it was intended to boost the city's morale.

"My main focus was to put more positivity back into the general public, around the Bundaberg area. I hope this has gone a long way towards that," he said.

"As everyone knows Bundaberg has been through quite a horrendous couple of years."

First in line for a ticket, Dave Former, said it was only the second time he sat in the grandstands of a live NRL game.

"It's the first NRL game I've seen live since the State of Origin in 2002," he said.

"I love rugby league and I'm a Queenslander so I'm stoked.

"It just unbelievable, it's the same feeling I got watching the State of Origin."

Broncos front rower Josh McGuire missed the match due to a hamstring injury, but said he loved visiting fans in the bush.

"It's very exciting, I love coming up here and getting out to regional areas ... and making sure the community gets to experience the players, and meet and greet everyone," he said.

"We get to meet kids that don't have the chance to meet players on a regular basis like the city kids do."

While in town, players spent time visiting schools and patients at the Bundaberg Hospital.

Seventy-four-year-old Dianne Street, who was in the renal unit receiving dialysis, said it was a shock to have Broncos players Kodi Nikorima and Aaron Whitchurch visit.

"I'm a big Broncos fan," she said.

"We never get to see them because we're more or less here — this ties us up a lot."

The last time two NRL teams met in Bundaberg was in 1991 for a pre-season competition at the Bundaberg Showgrounds.

Both clubs will now travel to England for the World Club Challenge.



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