Sport
14 April, 2025
Massive home crowd backs Danes in first games of the season
Round 1 of the Toowoomba Rugby League (TRL) competition was played over the weekend and in front of a massive home crowd at the Kennel the Pittsworth Danes were sporting new jerseys as they clashed with Highfield’s Eagles on the field.
Vibrant in red and green stripes, the Danes were energised and ready for the first matches of the season on Saturday at Club Pittsworth.
The First Grade signed new and returning players for the season, including
Ted Stuart, Harry Cooke, Stewart Free and Cooper Bowyer.
Coach James Quinn was back to lead the team.
For the first time in three years, a women’s team returned to the competition under the watchful eye of coach Darren Hollis.
In their first match the team was up against last year’s premiers - talk about tough!
Matt Gardner from Darling Downs Haulage was present, as the club’s major sponsor for the year.
This Saturday, the women travel to Oakey while the men have a bye.
The Danes will host Oakey at the Kennel on Anzac Day.
Match reports from the day are as follows:
First Grade
The Danes kicked off their 2025 campaign with an encouraging 44-10 victory over the Highfield’s Eagles.
Pittsworth started strong with vicious defence from the starting front row pairing of Cooper Bowyer and Nick Nairn.
This was backed up by a high completion rate which saw the home side cross for early tries to Kyle Brose and Tom O’Sullivan.
The Danes were reduced to twelve men for a ten minute period, however showed plenty of resilience to repeatedly turn Highfields away from their line.
Pittsworth rolled on in the second half with new recruit Ted Stuart grabbing a double to go along with Man of the Match honours.
The Pittsworth reserves were also impactful with Cody Evans and Zac Kahler playing their role well.
The Danes have a bye in round two before taking on the Oakey Bears at home on Anzac Day – hoping to see a large crowd there.
- Quinny, Sutto and Loz
Reserve Grade
This was definitely a good way to kick off the season for the Reggies with a one-week prep for the side going into Saturday’s game at the Kennel in front of a massive home crowd.
With a 12-0 lead at half time, we fought hard as a team in defence and stuck to our game plan that saw Highfields weary throughout the first half.
Tries were scored by Ryan Cattarin and James Sinclair in both the first and second halves, with some outstanding ball from the halves in Lachlan Thompson and Clay Dempsey.
After half time, our momentum was impressive with our forwards running vital big metres, thanks to our skipper Liam Ruhle, and Jed Garratt in the front row.
We then had tries scored by Luke Hill in the corner and our fullback JJ with a an effort from dummy half.
That was the end of the points as we found ourselves fall victim to a big “white line fever” period which affected our play as we moved away from the game plan.
With those clunky efforts in the last 10 minutes we gave away a sin bin to our most capped player in Jake Johnston and an interception try to Highfields to close the game in the last three minutes.
Congratulations to Clay Dempsey for Players’ Player and outright Club Player of the day, much deserved mate!
We also like thank our sponsors, the new jerseys are awesome; and our supporters, you guys were terrific and we look forward to your continued support next game.
- Sayegy and Morge
Women
What a start to the season for the Pittsworth Women!
After three years away, the Danes are back in the competition and ready to put in a big effort this year.
We faced off against last year’s premiers, Highfields Eagles.
It was a tough test right from the get-go.
They came out strong in the first half, just as we expected, and they went into half time with a 16-0 lead.
We regrouped in the sheds, identified our errors and went back out with a plan.
The ladies executed it well, with Alex Harber and Annika Franklin, scoring tries, both converted by Natalaya Franklin.
The game’s final score was 24-12 in favour of Highfields.
We couldn’t be prouder of the effort from our ladies.
Keep working hard at training champions, this season is going to be a cracker!
- Darren and Bec
Under 19
An encouraging first game from the Under 19s on the weekend.
Strong running and ball control had the team completing sets in good field position, scoring the first two tries off Nick Duncombe kicks.
Backed with resilient defence the young Danes consistently defended their line and pressured Highfields into mistakes.
With several repeat sets Highfields scored quickly after the break and with depleted numbers Pittsworth had our backs to the wall.
Through guts and determination the team stayed in the game until Highfields scored in the final minutes for a 20-16 win.
We’re extremely proud of all the players for their determination and commitment to play until the final whistle.
Players’ Player went to Nick Duncombe followed by Will Hanlon and Marcellus McCarthy.
- Trent and Gary
