Sport
17 April, 2025
Spirited Bears no Match for Upbeat Warriors
Just two matches into the 2025 Toowoomba Rugby League season the Wattles Warriors top grade side can boast a tally of 102 match points after outings against the Dalby Diehards and last Saturday’s clash with the Oakey Bears.
Despite trailing 16 – 18 at the break, Wattles finished all over the Bears at Oakey to the tune of 52 – 18, and ran up 36 unanswered points in the second stanza on their way to a convincing victory.
Coach Travis Burns was impressed with the way his side wore down a determined Bears side inspired by a very supportive home crowd, and rallied in a relentless finish.
Polished centre Connor Williams was more than imposing in Wattles’ ambitious band of backs.
A new face to the Wattles den, the former Western Clydesdale was a constant danger, along with fellow centre three-quarter Matt Christensen.
Halfback Tom Hatch followed on from his last start, again in superb form for the Warriors, while forwards Daniel Jennings and Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard paved the way to the premiership points on offer.
The match was blemished as the teams left the field at half time due to a melee erupting that saw Wattles classy five eight Dwayne Duncan sent off, and Oakey hooker Joseph Eising dispatched to the sin bin.
Despite the one-sided slant on the scoreboard, Wattles missed the start somewhat with the home side Bears snatching a 12 – 0 lead after just ten minutes through tries by team skipper and former NRL halfback Ashley Taylor and slick centre Allister Cameron.
Matt Christensen responded with a much needed try to adjust the score to 12 – 4 in the Bear’s favour, before green and gold team mates, fullback Tom Ramsay and Dwayne Duncan nudged Wattles ahead 16 – 12 in the shadow of the half time hooter.
A touchdown two minutes before the break by wing finisher Charlie Adams presented the Bears with a two-point advantage heading in to the final forty minutes.
Back-rower Daniel Jennings lit the wick for the Wattles onslaught with a try just minutes after the restart.
It was a sterling effort for the visiting Warriors given they were a man short for the second half.
Team captain Nick Van Der Poel collected a try double pressing Wattles case, with fellow forwards Jacob Leach and Cooper Tate-Roche also easing over to touch down.
A four-pointer by Williams closed out the match to see Wattles perched among the top rungs of the Hutchinson Builders A Grade Premiership ladder, albeit after just two games, sharing undefeated honours with the Gatton Hawks, Brothers Leprechauns & Pittsworth Danes.
Wattles 52 (Nick Van Der Poel 2, Matt Christensen, Connor Williams, Tom Ramsay, Dwayne Duncan, Daniel Jennings, Jacob Leach, Cooper Tate-Roche tries Tom Hatch 6, Dwayne Duncan 2 goals) defeated Oakey 18 (Ashley Taylor, Allister Cameron, Charlie Adams tries Tony Clevin 3 goals)
Reserve Grade
Classy halfback and proven performer Tom Morris was instrumental in steering Wattles Reserve Grade outfit to a convincing 28 – 16 initial new season success after leading 14 – 10 at the break.
Back-rower Jake Ranger was another to excel in Wattles colours, along with goal kicking winger Koby De Luca, who shone under the testing high ball.
Lock forward Will Denny impressed Coach Will Manley with his defensive performance.
It was Manley’s first win in his new coaching role, and he praised his team highly for answering the challenge from the outset.
“Our numbers in defence slowed Oakey very effectively, and our strong carries in attack led to vital early points”.
Winger Marley Tunstead and five-eight Zac Alberts had no issues finding their way to the tryline snatching a touchdown double apiece.
Wattles 28 (Marley Tunstead 2, Zac Alberts 2, Thomas Duggan 2 tries; Koby De Luca 2 goals) defeated Oakey 16.
Under 19
Hot on the heels of their win over Dalby in Round 1, the Under 19 Warriors held off a determined South Burnett Eagles outfit to win 36 – 22 after trailing 10 – 18 at half time.
First half tries by Bryce Stewart and Kihan Marshall held the Warriors ship steady at the commencement of the second stanza, before a touchdown by Charlie Spina launched his side on to a five try home run to the full-time siren
Spina and centre Sunnie Tunstead were among Wattles top draw players according to Coach Cameron Hamblin, with fullback Pat Malone earning Wattles’ player of the match and Player’s Player honours.
Wattles 36 (Mason Wilson 2, Jack Phelan, Bryce Stewart, Kihan Marshall, Atticus Sullivan, Charlie Spina tries; Mason Watson 4 goals) defeated Oakey 22.
Toowoomba Rugby League Round 3 – (Anzac Day Friday 25/04/2025) - When it will all be happening at Clifton’s Platz Oval.
Wattles Warriors verses the Highfields Eagles and Anzac Day Commemoration and Official Opening of New Field Lighting.
- Glyn Rees
