Sport
10 April, 2025
Hatch steers Wattles to Rod Frahm Cup win
Halfback Tom Hatch was in sensational form as he ran in two second half tries and steered the Warriors very effectively around the park in their 50 – 12 trouncing of the Dalby Diehards on Sunday to return the Rod Frahm Memorial Cup to the Platz Oval trophy cabinet.
Coach Travis Burns was more than enthusiastic with the performance of his 17-man squad, and singled out Hutchies Man of the Match Hatch for high praise.
Wattles proved a dominant force once they shed some troubling first half jitters in their opening fixture of the 2025 and 106th Toowoomba Rugby League premiership, running in eight tries to two in very warm weather conditions at the Dalby Rugby League Grounds.
Once they found their rhythm, the Warriors were impressive on the back
of a forward pack led by steam-rolling new starts Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard and Ryan Kelly-Payne.
In what eventually evolved into an inspiring team performance, Burns also extended accolades to green and gold newcomers in five-eighth Dwayne Duncan, hooker Dan Taber and first grade debutante bench forward Thomas Fenwick.
It was Wattles’ seventh win of the coveted Rod Frahm Memorial Trophy since its inception back in 2007.
Coach Burns, team skipper Nick Van Der Poel and their band of A grade Warriors were out to make amends on Sunday after stumbling in the recent pre-season Barrett Family Shield clash against an impressive Warwick Cowboys unit.
While premiership points are vital to start the season on a positive note, and were the focus for the Warriors on Sunday, the eighteenth contest for the Rod Frahm Memorial Cup contested annually by the two A Grade teams was also well within the green and gold focus.
As Sunday’s fixture season opened, it certainly wasn’t all Wattles way in the early stages, a high error rate causing frustrations as Dalby built momentum.
Diehards’ fullback sensation Chris Woodbridge posted first points in the early stages to have the home side leading 6 – 0 up to the 21st minute when Wattles five-eighth Dwayne Duncan stacked on a try to level the ledger.
Minutes later, a lengthy gallop by front-rower Ryan Kelly-Payne resulted in three-quarter Alex Hinch also touching down to have Wattles easing to a 12 - 6 lead that they took into the half time break.
With the initial 40 minutes under their belt, the Warriors emerged to fuel their point scoring hunger running in six second half tries to a single four-pointer by Dalby on their way to their one-sided victory.
Sharp shooter Dwayne Duncan was on target with a mighty nine goals from nine attempts.
Wattles 50 (Tom Hatch 2, Dwayne Duncan, Alex Hinch, Jackson Shelswell, Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, Matt Christensen, Tom Ramsay tries Dwayne Duncan 9 goals) defeated Dalby 12 (Chris Woodbridge, Connor Sullivan tries Chris Woodbridge 2 goals)
Reserve Grade
Seasoned back-rower Tom Duggan was Wattles’ shining light in reserve grade, his overall performance rated highly by coach Will Manley.
Others to impress included new recruits from Toowoomba in Brothers’ fullback Preston and five-eighth Zac Alberts, evergreen half Tom Morris and lock Will Denny in his return to the green and gold.
After Wattles led 12 - 8 at the break, Dalby knuckled down in front of their home crowd and ran in four tries to Wattles’ one to claim a vital 24 - 18 reserve grade victory.
The Diehards couldn’t get their goal kicking game together though, all their points coming from their six tries.
Wattles coach Manley was happy with his team’s effort in their season opener against quality opposition.
Dalby 24 defeated Wattles 18 (Zachary Alberts 2, Lachlan Clements tries; Koby De Luca 3 goals)
Under 19
Wattles’ Cameron Hamblin coached Under 19 outfit built on the promise they have shown at pre-season training and a trial to engineer a classy 24 - 16 winning result, fighting back from a half time deficit.
The Warriors trailed 10 - 12 at the break but emerged for the second half to touch down for two tries to one by Dalby and achieve a confidence building victory.
Former Toowoomba Valleys centre Mason Watson showed plenty of ability in a solid performance, along with forwards Toby Schwenke and Seb Hepner, however coach Hamblin felt everyone involved in the result was impressive.
Wattles 24 (Kihan Marshall, Toby Schwenke, Sebastian Hepner, Mason Watson tries; Hamish Gartery 3, Mason Watson goals) defeated Dalby 16.
TRL Round 2
Wattles A Grade and Reserve Grade teams take on the Oakey Bears at Oakey’s Trevor Mickleborough Oval this coming Saturday afternoon/evening April 12th, however Wattles Under 19 team will oppose the South Burnett Eagles.
- Glyn Rees
