Sport
22 February, 2024
Positive start to season by Wattles Warriors
Skipper Ty Gardner and his band of Wattles Warriors opened their 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League season with a convincing 24 – 14 win over the Pittsworth Danes in Saturday’s trial ‘friendly’.
The match between Wattles and Danes was played in front of a massive crowd prior to the Australian Legends vs Pittsworth Danes Allstars, Legends Of League Game at Club Pittsworth.
Known for his willingness to blood up and coming talent, Coach Travis Burns ran on a squad of 25 against the Danes, consisting of regular A Graders, Reserve Graders and Under 19 Colts, some involved in their initial taste of senior grade league.
Burns was more than pleased with his team’s performance, especially the younger brigade highlighted by a sparkling effort by five-eight Hamish Gartery.
Gartery was playing in Wattles Junior Rugby League Club colours last year, captain of the Under 17 line-up and eventual winner of the club’s best Under 17 back at the end of season presentations.
“To play in the match was an awesome experience” said Hamish who his hoping for more opportunities in the top green and gold line-up, “I learnt so much in what was my first hit out in an A grade game.”
Gartery is among eight young Wattles Under 17 players from last season to graduate to the senior ranks, with tough forward Bryce Stewart also making his first appearance in top grade against Pittsworth with a solid game.
In his debut outing for Wattles, former Western Clydesdales Under 21 hooker Thomas Hatch was impressive, and along with fullback Craig Donn, centre Jake Meddleton, back rower Ty Gardner and lock Nick Van Der Poel, all shone in the overall team of achievers in a result that saw the mentor Burns sporting a beaming smile at full time.
“We have some very capable young players who this afternoon showed they are more than capable of stepping up to higher levels” said Burns, “and the experienced players demonstrated how they will be lynch pins in the senior sides as we navigate this year’s premiership.”
The Warriors skidded in to quarter time with an 8 – 0 lead after tries by winger giant Aiden Suhan and back rower Gardner.
The Danes snared a valuable four-pointer as the second quarter opened, before front-row bookend Mitch Duff burst through to touch down from close to the tryline, 15 minutes before the half time break.
Wattles took a 14 – 6 lead into the third quarter, but the home side kept them honest with touchdown soon after the restart.
It was all Wattles though minutes later when back-rower Alex Donn ran a perfect line to cut through from fifteen metres out to score, allowing the Warriors an 18 – 10 advantage.
The Danes kept in touch though with another try just before the three-quarter time break.
While a couple of errors in the latter stages saw those in green and gold under pressure at times, they were giving the ball plenty of air and it was fullback Craig Donn who found room with ten minutes remaining racing away to score allowing the Warriors to shut the game out and claim victory.
Wattles 24 (Aiden Suhan, Ty Gardner, Mitch Duff, Alex Donn, Craig Donn tries; Jake Meddleton 2 goals) defeated Pittsworth 14.
For the coming five weeks, the Warriors focus is on training, fitness and improvement until their next on field outing, the much anticipated Barrett Family Shield at Platz Oval, Clifton on Saturday March 23rd.
- Glyn Rees
