Sport
16 August, 2023
A Rooster hat trick brings home Boars bacon
They call him Austin ‘Rooster’ Jennings, and on Sunday he ran in three tries to help propel the Wattles top graders to a 34 – 32 victory over the Goondiwindi Boars at Gilbert Oval, a win that has locked the Stillwater Pastoral Company Warriors in the top five.
In what has been a nervous couple of weeks, the Wattles continue their hold on the fourth rung of the TRL Hutchison Builders premiership ladder after finishing ahead of the gutsy Boars outfit.
The Round 17 fixtures resulted in each club pocketing a win and a draw scoring 88 points apiece overall from the three fiercely contested fixtures.
The A Grade clash finished in a supreme nailbiter after the home side Boars scored virtually as the full-time siren sounded to ease within two points of the Warriors and trail 32 – 34, with a conversion attempt to come after the hooter.
Centre Malcolm McGrady’s kick skirted the uprights presenting Wattles a vital win adding some further breath to their finals series aspirations.
Both sides scored six tries a piece, with Goondiwindi enjoying a 12 – 10 half time advantage.
Hooker Jack Duggan touched down in the opening minutes of the second stanza to allow the Warriors a 14 – 12 lead, jump starting his sides victory chase.
While back-rowers Nick Van Der Poel and team skipper Ty Gardner were shining performers leading the forward pack, winger Jake Meddleton continues his outstanding form regardless of where he plays in the back three.
One of Wattles best was fullback Matt Christensen who crossed for two first half tries in his much-anticipated injury comeback, but two sizzling touchdowns in the final twenty minutes by hat trick scorer Jennings set Wattles on a path to victory.
The quicksilver centre’s length of the field effort in the 21st minute could be considered a game changer, but full marks to the Boars, they fought their way back to nearly claim game honours when young Under 19 star Trae Bonnetto touched down with seconds on the match clock.
Goal kicking played a vital role in the result, and Wattles halfback Brayden Paix’s five from seven successes proved invaluable after the eighty minutes.
Wattles 34 (Austin Jennings 3, Matthew Christensen 2. Jack Duggan tries; Braydon Paix 5 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 32 (Malcolm McGrady 2, Geoff Prince 2, Travis Waddell, Trae Bennetto tries; Malcolm 4 goals).
Reserve Grade - For the second consecutive week Wattles reserve grade coach experienced an early taste of finals level rugby league.
The mentor’s pulse rate jumped last week as his line-up battled to secure an 18 – 16 win over Gatton, while on Sunday the Reserve Grade Warriors held on to secure a premiership point due to their 36 – 36 draw with Goondiwindi.
The Boars were first on the scoreboard through a slick Geoff Prince try in the opening minute, before Wattles’ Joe Willett crossed to level the ledger soon after.
The second half launched with the scores locked at 18 all.
The match was decided in the final minute when Wattles Mick Marshall crossed, converted by Willett who finished with six goals from six attempts.
Wattles still sit in first place on the TRL reserve grade premiership ladder, leading by a single point over the Dalby Diehards.
Coach rated his players highly after a teak tough seventy-minute battle, with try double scorer’s fullback Joe Willett and lock Mick Marshall, along with five-eight Josh Henry the Warriors top three.
Forwards Garth Lonergan, Aaron Scheid and Tom Duggan, along with powerful centre Eden Blewitt and Under 19 giant Aiden Suhan were all very impressive throughout.
Wattles 36 (Joe Willett 2, Michael Marshall 2, Tim Hentschel, Eden Blewitt tries; Joe Willett 6 goals) drew with Goondiwindi 36.
Under 19 - The Black Toyota, Warwick Wattles Under 19’s appeared to be looking down the barrel of a tough second half at the break trailing 4 – 20.
Fullback Lachlan Clements added Wattles only first period points in the 28th minute.
But a mighty fightback that included touchdowns by winger Chris Watt and back-rowers Jamie Hamilton and Reuben Sullivan saw the Warrior colts fall short of success by just 18 – 20.
Giant Warriors back-rower Botrus Dokshen earned player of the match honours, while fellow engine room toilers Marley Tunstead and Jamie Hamilton led from the front throughout.
Goondiwindi 20 defeated Wattles 18 (Lachlan Clements, Chris Watt, Jamie Hamilton, Reuben Sullivan tries; Aiden Suhan goal).
Round 18 - Wattles v Valleys in all grades this Sunday August 20th at Platz Oval, Clifton.
- Glyn Rees
