Sport
7 September, 2024
Cowboys outclass Warriors on road to Grand Final
The Warwick Cowboys crack outfit was a class above opponents the FarmSpray Wattles Warriors in Sunday’s local derby reserve grade major semi-final at Gatton’s Cahill Park, skidding in to full time 38 – 4 winners and booking a berth in the 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League Grand Final at Toowoomba’s Clive Berghofer Stadium on September 14th.
Cowboy’s five-eighth Lance McGrady seemed everywhere as he added to his twelve try season overall touchdown tally adding three four-pointers to his team’s winning total.
McGrady found the try line twice in the first half helping to bulk up a dominant 24 – 0 half time advantage for the recently crowned reserve grade minor premiers.
Along with halves partner Dan Howard, McGrady revelled behind a powerful Warwick forward pack led by front-rowers Nick Pails and Alifeleti Vite, exercising control across the paddock that overwhelmed the Wattles outfit.
At the helm of the Cowboys’ onslaught was skipper and back rower Eamon Brownlie, leading by example in an impressive captain’s knock.
Very proud Warwick coach Sam Williamson felt that while his team had a quieter second half, their overall performance was “awesome.”
“We turned up Sunday knowing we all had job to do, we knew where Wattles strike power was and what we had to control” he said.
“Despite the heat we backed ourselves in defence and attack, it certainly paid dividends, it was a great performance.”
The Wattles Warriors premiership hopes took a distinctive dive against the Cowboys who hit the accelerator early in the contest, and along with the McGrady dual four pointers, mobile prop Vite and three-quarter Michael Marshall cashed in for tries by the half time siren.
The warm conditions took their toll on both teams in the second stanza, but Warwick managed another three touchdowns by McGrady, hooker Damian Beresford and outside back Clydie Sorua to assert their superiority closing out the game.
Wattles added their lone try to the scoreboard in the later stages through bench forward Paul Christensen running off a five eighth Ryan Stevens pass from six metres out.
Back-rowers Nick Morris and Dale Perkins, hooker Jack Duggan and fullback Dale McAntee were highlighted in Wattles’ report card.
A week can be a long time in league, with the Warriors basking in the afterglow of a nail-biting 24 – 20 last seconds win against the Valleys Roosters in their previous finals appearance, earning the right to match up against the season dominating Cowboys.
Wattles ambitions of adding to their premiership winning reserve grade honours of 1976 and 1992 may have been dented by Warwick, but coach Tony Morris is confident his line-up can take the field on Grand Final day.
While preparations this week has the coach focused on numerous issues that hindered his team’s performance, injury has made a telling impact on the green and golds.
Star fullback Dale McAntee, arguably Wattles most consistent this season and the winning try scorer in the recent last-ditch victory over Valleys, has sustained a severe leg injury that requires surgery.
While less than impressed with his team’s performance, Morris has the benefit of player depth, and is confident his troops will rally for the upcoming contest against Valleys, hoping to pave their way to a Grand Final berth against the Warwick Cowboys.
Warwick enjoy a break this coming weekend after earning grand final berth honours, while Wattles will do battle yet again with Valleys in the Preliminary Final at 1pm on Sunday at Clive Berghofer Stadium striving for a ticket to the season decider.
Warwick 38 (Lance McGrady 3, Alifeleti Vite, Damian Beresford, Micheal Marshall, Clydie Sorua tries; Matthew Henry 5 goals) defeated Wattles 4 (Paul Christensen try).
- Glyn Rees
