Sport
29 June, 2023
Morris’ Reggies Storm into Cup Final
Wattles reserve grade coach Tony Morris couldn’t be happier with the form of his team after they handed out a 48 – 6 walloping of the Brothers Leprechauns at Platz Oval on Saturday afternoon.
A chilly Platz Oval saw the low on the ladder Leprechauns outclassed by those in green and gold in a nine try to one routing having led 22 – 6 at the break.
But additional to what was their tenth win of the season the Warriors have qualified for the 2023 Toowoomba Rugby League President’s Cup at Clive Berghofer Stadium this Saturday kicking off at 4.50 pm.
Morris, Wattles Vice-President who also sponsors his reserve grade team through his business Tony Moris Tiling, has enjoyed a very successful first half of the 2023 league season, his first experience as a rugby league coach.
Wattles have taken the field in twelve outings this season including a pre-season trial, winning all but a tightly fought the Round 4 clash with the Gatton Hawks at Gatton.
Morris’ men currently sit on top of the Clive Berghoffer Land Sales premiership ladder with twenty points from their eleven games, a single point ahead of the Dalby Diehards.
It’s certainly not unreasonable to consider Wattles line-up a slight favourite against the high-flying Diehards.
The two sides last clashed back on April Fool’s Day in the initial TRL season fixture Round, the Warriors emerging 20 – 10 victors.
Compared to Wattles’ eleven games played for one loss record, Dalby have a loss and a draw.
In the not-too-distant past Wattles appeared in the 2019 reserve grade Presidents Cup final finishing behind the Valleys Roosters 12 – 26.
Alas last year’s blue ribbon mid-season championships also brought no glory with the Highfields Eagles outfit outgunning Wattles 40 – 14 at Toowoomba’s John McDonald Sports Complex.
The reserve grade squad boast toughness, skill, speed and youth along with the experience of the likes of Tim Hentschel, Braydon Wilson, Michael Duggan, Garth Lonergan and team captain Jordan Henry.
While he’s not getting to far ahead of himself by any means, coach Morris is confident he has the team and commitment to help fill some of the space in Wattles trophy cabinet at Platz Oval.
Wattles 48 (Braydon Wilson 2, Garth Lonergan 2, Travis Pitman, Alex Morris, Tim Hentschel, Josh Henry, Harry Shooter tries; Jordan Henry 3, Alex Morris 3 goals) defeated Brothers 6.
A Grade - Top grade front row work horse Jacob Mouatt posted an inspiring performance as his team rolled over their Brothers opposition 76 – 10, after dominating the first stanza to lead 44 - 0.
It was Mouatt who was rewarded with a try in the dying moments to seal the game.
The result also saw the Stillwater Pastoral Company Warriors retain the prized Dan Ryan Memorial Shield which has been contested by the two clubs over the past nineteen years.
Speed king centre Austin Jennings crossed for four tries in his last match against Newtown, and near repeated the dose against Brothers on Saturday with an impressive try hat trick.
Jennings currently second on the TRL A Grade try tally list with seventeen touchdowns behind leader, Dalby fullback Chris Woodbridge with twenty.
Ever reliable back-rower Tyson Stevens also collected three touchdowns.
Stevens is among coach Travis Burns lynch pins every week, the teak tough back rower played a key role in Wattles drive to 2022 premiership success.
Under 19 skipper John Lazzaroni nailed a well-earned try in just his second first grade game, while colts team mate Lane Eastwell earned his league stripes in an impressive top-grade debut.
Wattles 76 (Austin Jennings 3, Tyson Stevens 3, Joe Willett, Jake Meddleton, Aiden Suhan, Brayden Paix, Jacob Mouatt, Mitch Duff, Jacob Leach, John Lazzaroni tries; Brayden Paix 10 goals) defeated Brothers 10.
Under 19 - With Brothers not fielding an Under 19 team in 2023, no fixture was played.
Round 12 - Wattles next Toowoomba Rugby League fixture round will see them host the Dalby Diehards in A, 2nd & Under 19 grades at Platz Oval on Saturday July 8th.
- Glyn Rees
