Sport
14 June, 2024
Bourke Inspires Wattles Victory
Left wing finisher Mitch Bourke broke down the Boars front door in just the eighth minute of play at Goondiwindi’s Gilbert Oval on Saturday evening crossing for Wattles initial try that set those donning green and gold on the way to a 28 – 0 lead by the 28th minute of play, and a 36 – 22 winning result overall.
The home side Boars fought back to trail 28 – 10 at the break, and kept pace with the Warriors try for try throughout the second stanza.
Bourke snatched the Stillwater Pastoral Company Wattles opening two tries in the space of thirteen minutes, while three-quarter partner Matt Christensen also collected a try double.
Gilbert Oval feeds the Boars spirit, and while it took a good half hour to kick in on Saturday, when it did, they made up significant lost ground on the Warriors eventually crossing for five touchdowns to Wattles seven.
The match saw new faces back-rower Domenic Whittingham and five-eight Lachlan Watt run on in impressive green and gold debuts.
Australian touch football representative Watt was one to shine in the result, joining Whittingham, winger Bourke and hooker Tom Hatch as key contributors.
A sight for Wattles loyal sore eyes, especially coach Travis Burns was to see his skipper Ty Gardner start off the bench after a four-week injury spell, and score his team’s final try.
Along with winger Bourke’s contribution to Wattles first half rampage, was tries by front-row book end Cooper Tate-Roche, centre Christensen and Watt who was partnering Brayden Paix in the halves.
It took the Boars until the 34th minute to find the try line to trail 28 – 4 after centre Samukie Gaidan sailed over, and lit the wick for the home side to cross for another three unanswered tries by Jarrod Dwyer, Michael Hazard and Damon Bulmer reducing Wattles advantage to 28 – 18.
Four-pointers by Christensen and Gardner extended Wattles lead to 36 – 18, before home side three-quarter Dwyer crossed in the final minute of play.
Coach Burns was more than encouraged with his team’s performance, especially coming into this Saturday evening’s key Round 10 clash with the Dalby Diehards.
After the win over Goondiwindi, Burns has some selection headaches given the return this week of a number of key performers from the injury list.
Aside from vital premiership points, as second on the ladder Dalby and third placed Wattles grapple for top end places, the Dalby contest will see the Rod Frahm Memorial Cup on offer.
A Wattles club Life Member and Clifton business identity, Rod Frahm also shared a close association with the Dalby area rural industry, the Cup named in his honour first contested in 2007.
Wattles 36 (Mitch Bourke 2, Matthew Christensen 2, Cooper Tate-Roche, Lachlan Watt, Ty Gardner tries: Brayden Paix 4 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 22.
Reserve Grade - Five touchdowns in a 27-minute purple patch of the second half hauled the ‘Farm Spray’ Wattles reserve grade team from a 12 – 16 half time deficient to an overwhelming 38 – 16 victory over the home side Boars.
Wattles rose to prominence after a shabby first half against the side on second bottom rung of the Clive Berghofer Land Sales Premiership ladder, where the Boars held a half time lead.
The Warriors had earlier raced to an early 10 – 0 lead after eleven minutes courtesy of four-pointers by impact forward Tim Exelby and habitual try scoring winger Isaac Leach.
When hooker Zac Stevens scored from close quarters in just the third minute of the second stanza, the Warriors opened the Gilbert Oval floodgates with fullback Dale McAntee, team skipper second-rower Tom Duggan twice and five-eight Garth Lonergan all finding their way through to secure points.
Dan Rubb was inspiring in the forward pack exchange against the Boars, with back-rower Aaron Schied and fullback Dale McAntee bringing experience and stability to the team as the line-up showed their true worth.
Others to shine included Tom Duggan with a superb captains knock, along with halves Michael Duggan and Garth Lonergan and back-rower Tom Philp.
Coach Tony Morris admired the way his team recalculated their game course back in line with the match plan and pushed home for the desired result.
“We were an under-strength side this week, injury and promotion, but lucky enough to get the win after a slow first half.”
Wattles 38 (Tom Duggan 2, Tim Exelby, Isaac Leach, Zac Stevens, Dale McAntee, Garth Lonergan tries; Ben Comerford 4, Alex Morris goals) defeated Goondiwindi 16.
Under 19 - Wattles Under 19’s enjoyed a bye round.
Glyn Rees
