Community & Business
6 September, 2023
Under 13 Glory in Mighty Year for Wattles Juniors
The Warwick and District Junior Rugby League celebrated its highly successful 57th season with Grand Final Day at Collegians Junior Rugby League Club in Warwick on Saturday.
The Glen McMillan coached Wattles Nutrien Harcourts - Clifton Under 13 side can boast a sensational 2023 effort of finishing the season undefeated, winning the Under 13 Warwick & District Junior Rugby League Minor Premiership and finishing 36 - 12 victors in Saturday’s Grand Final against the Tenterfield Tigers.
Gifted hooker Jack Burton banked five tries in Saturday’s season decider in a ‘Player of the Match’ performance, including the initial three touchdowns of the game.
Centre Archer Steinhardt’s defence was very impressive, but Bailey Naumann’s effort in the front row saw him as an imposing force leading from the front.
Others to shine included five-eight Ty Betts with his fine kicking game and twelve-year-old Jack Harrigan rose to the level of the older grade without issue.
The whole team can take pride in their performance, coach McMillan very proud of the group and what they have achieved!
The opening 20 minutes set up the game for the young Warriors getting out to 22 - 0 lead earned through three Jack Burton four-pointers and another by Bailey Naumann, before having to fight off a strong Tenterfield challenge.
Two tries saw the Tigers back in striking distance trailing 12 – 22 at half time.
However, three unanswered second half touchdowns, one by Ty Betts and two by Jack Burton saw the Warriors ahead 36 – 12 and the silverware well in sight, despite a couple of late tries by the Tigers.
Wattles 36 (Jack Burton 5, Bailey Neumann, Ty Betts tries; Ty Betts 3 goals) defeated Tenterfield 20.
Drayton Medical Centre Wattles Under 15 - Under the guidance of mentor Tom Duggan Wattles very capable Under 15 team also contested a Grand Final on Saturday.
The team, despite not gaining the desired result, can be very proud of their efforts and for qualifying for the Grand Final. “There’re not easy to win and Wattles team had to be at their best to beat Collegians” said Coach Duggan.
We were not able to complete our sets well enough in the first half allowing Collegians to get to a comfortable 16 – 4 lead by half time.
The Under 15 coaching staff are very proud of all their players, and look forward to seeing them continue their football next year.
Collegians 38 defeated Wattles 16 (Paddy Denny, Ben Rauchle, Henry McMillan, Brian Williams tries).
Hamblin Builders Wattles Under 17 - Wattles Under 17 line-up were focused on going one better than last year as they matched up against the Collegians Dragons in Saturday’s Grand Final under the experienced guidance of coach Shane Wright.
Two early opposition tries and a 12 – 0 lead after ten minutes had the Warriors on the back foot and under pressure for the remainder of the game.
Twenty-three players wore the green and gold on Saturday striving for the first ever Wattles junior or senior club Under 17 premiership success, coach Wright praising them all on the commitment in the game and over the season.
Wattles took the field with some injury issues that hindered their challenge, but a slow start and ill-timed errors also affected their chances.
Collegians 20 defeated Wattles 14 (Harry Marshall, Thomas Blake, Charlie Spina tries; Billy Peardon goal).
Presentation Day - Wattles Junior Rugby League Club will host their 2023 Presentation Day at Platz Oval, this Saturday September 9th commencing at 10 am.
- Glyn Rees
