Sport
3 May, 2024
Nicko steers Warriors to Ryan Shield success
Wattles ‘Mr Perpetual Motion’ Nick Van Der Poel ran in a hat trick of tries on Sunday afternoon in a player of the match performance, a key component in the Stillwater Pastoral Company Warriors walloping 50 to 8 victory over the Brothers Leprechauns.
The result that featured nine Wattles’ touchdowns secured a pair of Toowoomba Rugby League premiership points and saw the Ty Gardner skippered Warriors retain the prestigious Dan Ryan Memorial Shield twenty years after its 2005 inception.
The Shield was presented by All Whites (Brothers) legend Mark Barrett who played a leading role in its introduction in memory of Dan Ryan two decades back.
Dan played 113 games for All Whites A Grade team, Mark 116, making them both club centurions.
Chris Ryan thanked both Wattles and Brothers Clubs for their ongoing support for the Shield on behalf of the Ryan Family.
Wattles’ coach Travis Burns rates Nick Van Der Poel one of his most consistent doers.
Brothers certainly put it to the Warriors who never had it all their own way in the early stages of the feature clash on Sunday.
Indeed, while those in green and gold oversaw a more than commanding advantage at full time, the completion of the initial forty minutes saw them holding the Leprechauns at bay by a slim 12 - 8 margin.
Burns was particularly happy with how his team lifted from the second stanza commencement, their defence, ball movement and completion rate all providing too much fire power for Brothers.
Wattles backs, half Brayden Paix, centre Matt Christensen and fullback Joe Willett, also shone in a sterling Warriors’ performance, as did busy hooker Tom Hatch.
The win over Brothers has Wattles on the third rung of the Hutchinson Builders A Grade premiership ladder, trailing the undefeated Warwick Cowboys and the Gatton Hawks.
The Hawks and the Warriors play off this Sunday at Gatton’s Cahill Park in a vital contest for both, with Wattles’ top team mentor Burns hoping he can assemble his best seventeen to head to the Lockyer.
Wattles 50 (Nick Van Der Poel 3, Tom Hatch 2, Andrew Richardson, Tyson Stevens, Brayden Paix, Mitch Bourke tries; Brayden Paix 7 goals)
Brothers 8 (Riley, Wockner, Simione Ata tries)
Reserve Grade
Wattles FarmSpray reserve grade side put together a stunning performance to overwhelm Brothers more than convincingly 62 - 12 after establishing a 44 - 0 half time lead.
Wattles 62 (Tim Exelby 2, Aiden Suhan, Dan Rub, Tom Morris, Zac Stevens, Jordan Henry, Tom Duggan, Garth Lonergan, Paul Christensen, Damien McDonald tries; Tom Morris 8, Alex Morris goals)
Brothers 12 (Tremaine Withers, Paul Hinch tries; Hayden Campbell 2 goals).
Under 19
The Cameron Hamblin coached Black Toyota - Warwick Wattles Under 19s locked into fifth place on the TRL premiership ladder after posting a second win of the season along with a draw against Valleys last week.
The Warriors snatched a 24 -12 win over Brothers after leading 12 - 8 at the break.
Wattles 24 (Jack Phelan, McCabe Miller, Jack Wright, Bryce Stewart tries: Koby De Luca 3, Bryce Stewart goals)
Brothers 12 (Sam Sheppard, Dane Nilsson, Jackson Bell tries).
Match Program Sunday 5th May, Cahill Park, Gatton
Wattles Warriors vs. Gatton Hawks
Under 19 - 11.30am
Reserve Grade - 1.00pm
A Grade - 2.30pm
- Glyn Rees
