Sport
31 May, 2023
Juniors share Respect Round with Boars
Queensland Rugby League, this weekend, focused on the importance of positive behaviour on and off the field - towards participants, officials and spectators - through Respect Round.
While the day as always rustles up a program of tough but fair competitive rugby league between the rivals, for all the young players at Platz Oval it was ‘All of us, together’.
With Goondiwindi not fielding League Tag teams, Wattles’ Under 15s and Under 17 Ladies League Tag teams enjoyed a bye Round.
Wattles Under 6s played one of their better games with all improving, as they have each week.
It was a challenge with Wattles best seven against
the best 18 from Goondiwindi, but the young Warriors certainly did their green and gold colours proud.
Bailey Moncton was outstanding, while Elsie Macpherson and Oliver Dore also played their best games of season so far.
Wattles talented Under 7s split into two teams again this week to take on their opposition, this week being the Goondiwindi Boars.
Both Warriors teams played very well scoring plenty of tries.
Near all 17 players scored at least a try each which they were extremely excited about.
“Very proud of how the under 7’s are improving each week,” coach Jared Gault said.
Wattles Under 8 squad was more than up to the task of the tough clash against Goondiwindi.
The Under 8s mixed with Wattles’ elite on Sunday playing Toowoomba’s Valleys Roosters Under 8s at half time in the Valleys versus Wattles senior first grade game, and those available had their photos taken with the Wattles A Grade team.
Coach Chris Ryan considered his Under 9 team’s effort was an impressive win against the Goondiwindi Boars, running in eleven tries to one.
Hunter Ryan played an outstanding all-round game in defence and attack and crossed for two tries.
Carter Lyons played his best game this year and Toby Schmidt, Will Erhlich, Rhys Gascoyne and Isaac Saddlier played well throughout.
Coach Ian Brady is very enthusiastic about the weekly improvement of his Under 10 squad, but training this week may see a need to commit to tackles the focus.
Leading by example, William Berry shone brightly in Wattles performance with his fine tackling and hard hit ups.
It was a tough day on the oval for the Russell McMillan coached Under 11 Warriors against a battle-hardened Goondiwindi line-up.
The young Warriors were a little weary after excelling in Friday’s Central Downs Sports Gala Day where we saw some great rugby league on show.
Adam Butler, Bryce Bateman, Levi Zadow, Dusty May and Jackson McMillan were among those to shine for Wattles.
Wattles’ high achieving Under 12 line-up fell short of the mark against Goondiwindi but will benefit from the experience.
Three-quarter Jack Harrigan was outstanding for Wattles, with half-back Jake Burns and second-rower Cooper Zadow also strong performers.
After a convincing 32-12 winning result, proud coach Glen McMillan handed out accolades to his Under 13 team who he felt played their best half of footy for the season when they ran in five tries across the first 30 minutes.
Front-rowers Jake Lyons and James Robertson were very impressive charging into the Boars’ line.
Jack Burton, Ty Betts and Hugh Denny were strong again, with Jonte May distributing the ball ideally.
It was all one-way traffic in Wattles’ favour in the Under 15 clash against Goondiwindi, the home side ahead 54-12 at full time.
Coach Tom Duggan was more than impressed with his players, particularly executing the subject matter of training of late.
“The boys have been working very hard and it is starting to show on the field.”
Paddy Denny has been in sensational form, and after scoring all his team’s points in the win over Collegians last week, he nailed a hat trick of tries and six goals for 24 points on Saturday.
Wattles ran up a 12-4 half time lead in the Under 17 clash against the Goondiwindi Boars, their defence holding their opponents scoreless in the second stanza to have a 22-4 lead at full time.
The Boars touched down for their lone try after just three minutes of play.
Coach Shane Wright was pleased to return to the winner’s circle after last week’s loss against Collegians, but he will be working on discipline this week at training as the Warriors colts prepare for the contest with Stanthorpe this Saturday.
Round 6
Wattles Juniors head to Stanthorpe this Saturday to take on the junior Gremlins at Sullivan and Crisp Ovals.
- Glyn Rees
