Sport
6 July, 2024
Duggan and Gardner Show Guide Wattles to Victory
Veteran half back Matt Duggan returned from an injury lay off to combine with classy team skipper Ty Gardner and add a touch of excellence to a Warriors performance that sealed a 78 – 6 overwhelming win to open the second round of the Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba Rugby League A Grade premiership on Oakey turf last Saturday night.
Wattles breezed to a 26 – 0 advantage by the twenty-minute mark, before assuming a half century 50 – 0 lead by half time.
The Warriors juggernaut leapt into action after just four minutes of play when team skipper Ty Gardner ran a short line off five-eight Brayden Paix to touch down and open the points fl ood gates.
The home side Bears had no answer to the Warriors running game as they dictated terms in their endless attacking raids.
Coach Travis Burns rated his team’s performance highly, with special mention for front-rower Jacob Leech and impressive 18-year-old forward George Nott.
“George is a quality young forward” said Burns, “he shows ability and experience beyond his years with Saturday’s game his fourth first grade outing since his top-grade debut.”
The result over the Bears has Wattles level on seventeen competition points on the A Grade premiership ladder level with the Valleys Roosters. The Roosters sit in third place on for and against above Wattles, both behind the Gatton Hawks and the top of the table undefeated Warwick Cowboys.
Wattles A Grade side, who are looking to the return of a number of key players from the injury bench, are facing another must win fixture when they take on the Brothers Leprechauns this Saturday evening at Clifton’s Platz Oval.
Wattles 78 (Matt Christensen 3, Tom Hatch 3, Brayden Paix 2, Ty Gardner, Mitch Bourke, Matt Duggan, Lachlan Watt, Jackson Green, Joe Willett, tries; Braydon Paix 11 goals) defeated Oakey 6 (Wesley Aumau try; Trey Fernando).
Perkins Returns to Steer Warriors Victory
Former long term Toowoomba Clydesdales representative and TRL first grade premiership winning forward Dale Perkins was in shining form against the Oakey Bears reserve graders on Saturday afternoon, setting the example for his green and gold team mates as they pocketed a 30 – 10 victory.
Perkins is duel registered with his priority team the Stanthorpe Gremlins, Saturday’s game his first for Wattles in 2024.
The classy lock forward last wore green and gold colours in the 2022 Warriors first grade TRL premiership winning grand final line-up.
The six try to two win over Oakey was Wattles’ sixth in succession since Round 6.
The Wattles Warrior’s are seated in clear third place on the Clive Berghofer Land Developments reserve grade premiership ladder on 17 points, behind the Valleys Roosters and the undefeated Warwick Cowboys.
Wattles 30 (Aiden Suhan 2, Marley Tunstead, Garth Lonergan, Jake Meddleton, John Lazzaroni tries; Tom Morris 3 goals) defeated Oakey 10 (Ashley Hooper, Selen Koivi tries; Maluafi ti Vaovasa Taiama goal).
Under 19 - Bye round for Wattles, Oakey are not fielding Under 19’s in 2024.
- Glyn Rees
