Emerald is a small city located in Central Queensland, about 300kms inland from the coast. In the 2011 census, the population was recorded as 12,985, however, last weekend it ‘swelled’ to over 13,000 when the Bohle Bull Terriers made their way out there for a trial match against the Emerald Tigers.
The Bohle Bull Terriers (BBTs) is predominantly a Uni Saints team comprising of current and past players. Their founder is Grant ‘Rhino’ Ryan, who was one of our winning A grade grand final heroes in 2012, playing most of the GF with a broken jaw. The team was managed by Club Life Members, Alan Yardley and Joe Jones, and it was proudly sponsored by the FUGS.
Well known Saints team members were: Adam ‘Red’ Hume, Jarad ‘Hulk’ Stevens, Sean ‘Jaw’ Evans, ‘Sweet Philie’ Foley, Keiren ‘Connery’ Crowley, Brent ‘Freddy’ Oar, Zach ‘Captin’ Anderson, and ‘We’re a couple now’ – Nick Evans and Paul Bunungan.
The game was played by ‘Central Highlands RL Rules’ with Emerald Tigers having 25 players to the BBTs 18 and the start was delayed as the BBTs management argued that they wanted to play three 26.67 minute quarters. However, they eventually ceded to the Tigers demands that four 20 minute ‘thirds’ be played. After a stirring speech by ‘Captin’ the BBTs got off to a blistering start and led 4-0 at the end of the first ‘third’. With ‘Rhino’ determined not to leave Emerald without a victory, he was strong right from the start and it was after one of his runs that a quick play the ball saw Nick Evans scoot to the blind, where he had to think twice before drawing and passing, to ‘Red’ who became the first try scorer in BBTs history … but, with a name like Adam, he’s used to being the first.
The second ‘third’ was much like the first with the BBTs dominating. The ‘Hulk’ was prowling on the right fringe as usual and running into holes, but more often than not, forgetting to take the ball with him as the gout he got from drinking too much had moved to his hands. However, he wasn’t game to drop a beautiful ball delivered from his ‘Captin’, certainly not after that speech, and finally found himself in some space, but with defenders still in front of him. We all know what happens when the ‘Hulk’ has the ball in hand with defenders in front of him? … he turns green, knocks them over, and SCORES! Half Time 10-0. Or, was that Two ‘Thirds’ time?
It was at this point that the BBTs were wishing that instead of agreeing to play four ‘thirds’, they had demanded to play only one half. Fatigue was starting to set in and the Tigers were starting to bare their teeth. The Tigers clawed back the deficit to 10-8 at the end of the penultimate third ‘third’ and were looking like they were coming home with a wet sail. The only comfort the BBTs could take at the final break was that sails aren’t much good to you 300 kms in from the coast.
The BBTs started the final ‘third’ knowing deep down in their hearts how much sweeter the beer would taste after victory, instead of the sour, stale taste of defeat. ‘Captin’ continued to lead from the front. But it was the five eighth, Jeffrey Gilbert, who stood up when they needed him. Weighing in at 98kgs, the BBTs were grateful that he was at the end of his 12 week Michelle Bridges weight loss program, or else he may have not have been able to play the full 80 minutes and be there to throw the deciding pass to the ‘Jaw’, who scored the deciding try and round out an historic BBTs victory … 14-8. (Brent ‘Freddy’ Oar was then heard singing ‘We are the Champions’)
And then the FUN started. The BBTs were extremely grateful to the Tigers who were fantastic hosts and challenged them to a Beer Pong tournament … further details of the evening became a bit sketchy after that. The BBTs camped out on the grounds for the night and then set off the next day for the long trip home, which included a stop over at Airlie Beach.
The weekend was not just about Footy and Fun. The BBTs were also committed to ‘give back’ and agreed to help raise some funds for the FUGS official charity ‘The Cure Starts Now’. They managed to raise $400. That’s a fantastic effort and the FUGS and The Cure Starts Now, thanks them sincerely for their generosity.
There were a lot of stories to tell and many antics gotten up to. But, you’ll have to ask one of the BBTs directly if you want to know anything about that, because …. “what happens on tour, stays on tour”.
(Click on the ’BBTs Photos’ for some photos … and apologies for the quality. If they look a bit blurred, it’s because that’s what the weekend was to most .. just a BLUR) BBTs Photos
