Sport
25 May, 2023
Brayden Paix masterminds Wattles triumph
Livewire half-back Brayden Paix played a crucial role in the Wattles Warriors’ comprehensive 40 to 16 winning result over the Goondiwindi Boars at Clifton’s Platz Oval on Saturday (21st May 2023), his side now resting in sixth place on the Toowoomba Rugby League Hutchinson Builders A Grade premiership ladder.
Paix’s scheming and organisation was central to the Stillwater Pastoral Company Warriors returning to the winner’s podium after a frustrating start to the 2023 season that has seen them, a more than capable outfit according to coach Travis Burns, with just three wins from five outings coming into the Goondiwindi clash.
“It was a very important game for us,” Burns said.
“We needed a win to be heading in the right direction up the ladder and lift our confidence.”
Wattles lost virtually on the bell in the previous week to Gatton at a wet Cahill Park, and were expecting another more than challenging contest against the Boars on their way to a clash with the undefeated ladder leader, Valleys, next weekend.
It was a massive day of rugby league on Saturday on Wattles’ home turf, the home club juniors up against Warwick’s Collegians in all grades from 8am until the senior club fixtures kicked-off at 3.30 pm.
It was a clean sweep in the Warriors’ senior ranks, with the Black Toyota, Warwick Under 19s winning 38 to 16 prior to the Tony Morris Tiling Reserve Graders returning to the winner’s circle after a lone season loss last week to defeat Goondiwindi overwhelmingly 48-6.
Wattles were in top gear early in the main game to hold an 18-nil lead after 20 minutes through tries by full-back Matt Christensen in the very first minute of play, front row bookend Mitch Duff and the first of two touchdowns to winger Mitch Bourke.
Fleet of foot centre Austin Jennings crossed minutes before the half time siren to have Wattles ahead 24-6 at the break, the Boars sole first stanza try by slippery three-quarter Garry Prince.
The Goondiwindi outfit presented better in the second half, however their two touchdowns, one by centre Malcolm McGrady ten minutes into the new half and a second by Prince with full time looming did little to halt the green and gold onslaught.
Wattles crossed for three four-pointers in the second forty minutes, Bourke and Jennings cashing in to complete doubles and Brayden Paix in the 54th minute.
While Paix shone throughout, vice-captain and centre Nick Van Der Poel was also among Wattles’ best, while coach Burns praised the effort of his forward pack throughout the game.
Wattles 40 (Mitch Bourke 2, Austin Jennings 2, Matt Christensen, Mitch Duff, Ty Gardner tries Braydon Paix 6 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 16.
Reserve Grade
Reserve grade coach Tony Morris was at a loss to single out star players from his line-up after their 48 to 6 walloping of Goondiwindi, a result that propelled the Warriors back to the head of the premiership ladder.
But for a first-round towelling from Gatton, the Boars had been very competitive across the initial five Rounds of the season, but they were no match for Morris’ men who proved a nine try to one better team from the time Will Manley crashed over in just the second minute of play.
Elusive five-eighth Josh Henry showed his wares and collected a hat trick of tries, while ageless three-quarter Tim Hentschel crossed for a double.
The Henry brothers, Josh and skipper Jordan, workaholic forward Jack Duggan, front-rower Will Manley and bench front-rower Dan Rubb were the foundation for the result.
Utility bench player Ryan Lewis, half-back Michael Duggan, full-back Joe Willett and hooker Alex Morris also shone in a contest where coach Morris felt he didn’t have a bad player on the field.
Wattles 48 (Josh Henry 3, Tim Hentschel 2, Dale McAntee, Will Manley, Jack Duggan, Tom Henry tries; Jordan Henry 6 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 6.
Under 19
Powerful centre Aiden Suhan left no doubt about his intentions against Goondiwindi when he ran in Wattles’ initial three touchdowns over the first
25 minutes of play to harvest a 14-nil lead.
Team mate and full-back Lachlan Clements also scored for Wattles to head in at half time leading 18-10.
Bench back Hamish Gartery, winger Chris Watt and Clements snared four-pointers for the home side to be riding comfortably at 32-16 ahead before Suhan burst onto the scene with four minutes in hand to touch down for his fourth try and Wattles to take their winning lead.
The Cameron Hamblin coached Under 19s are now level with Valleys on the top rung of the premiership ladder.
Wattles 38 (Aiden Suhan 4, Lachlan Clements 2, Chris Watt, Hamish Gartery tries; Koby De Luca 3 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 16.
THIS WEEKEND
Wattles are on the road on Sunday taking on the Valleys Roosters in all grades at Toowoomba’s John McDonald Sports Complex.
The Warriors and Valleys share top of the table status in the Under 19 and Reserve Grade competitions, while the Roosters are clear leaders after five rounds in A Grade and Wattles, coming off their one-sided win over Goondiwindi, are banging on the door of the elite top five.
- Glyn Rees
