Sport
6 September, 2022
Warriors charge in to Grand Finals
Allora-Clifton district sporting heroes the Wattles Warriors have emerged from a massive Toowoomba Rugby League Qualifying Semi-final Day at Gatton’s Cahill Park with two senior grade successes, both over the Gatton Hawks, that have ushered them directly into the 2022 season Grand Finals on September 18th.
Gatton officials hosted what was said to be the biggest ever crowd Cahill Park, highlighting what can be considered a very high level of country rugby league.
The Reserve Grade Warriors were the first local side on the victory dais, after coming from behind trailing 4-12 at half time to snatch a nail-biter in the final minutes and overhaul hosts the Hawks 20-18 after crossing for three tries to one in the second stanza.
Wattles A Graders dominated their opponents in blustery conditions to build on a 22-16 half time lead
on their way to a convincing 38-22 victory.
Half back Matt Duggan emerged from an injury cloud to claim a touchdown hat trick in a superb performance, considered his best of the season.
Duggan has been in shining form in the finals series despite carrying a quad injury that has halted his goal kicking duties.
In an overall sensational team effort, Duggan was well supported by captain/coach Travis Burns, full-back Jackson Green, centre Nick Van Der Poel and the Warriors pack that neutralised the size abundant Gatton forwards who have dominated the competition this year.
Wattles defence was impregnable for the majority of the contest, while the Burns and Duggan show took full advantage of a gusty first half breeze.
Local junior and Wynnum-Manly three-quarter in the first half of the current season Matt Christensen was another in green and gold to figure strongly in the result.
His speed and elusive-ness created attacking opportunities that yielded a valuable try in the 69th minute.
Wattles can now rest for the coming fortnight before their first season decider since 2018, while Gatton and the Highfields Eagles battle out in the preliminary final for the right to challenge the Warriors for the premiership silverware.
To collect a premiership gong around 4.30pm on September 18th with a winning result on the scoreboard will cap off coach Travis Burns’ illustrious career, an honour that has eluded him, but for a Warwick & District Junior Rugby League grand final win as a youngster for Millmerran/Inglewood.
Reserve Grade
A classy showing by outside back Darby Peardon saw him run in Wattles only first half try in the Reserve Grade clash, but it was to be a try that would play a key role in nudging his side to the Grand Final.
The game was far from a glossy performance by the Warriors according to co-player/coach Garth Lonergan, who was just really pleased to get the result.
“We started terribly and just didn’t complete enough sets which led to Gatton scoring easy tries, but once we composed ourselves in the second half we got back in the grind,” Lonergan said.
Gatton’s eight-point lead at the break was slashed when Wattles’ front-row enforcer Jordon Henry touched down twelve minutes into the new half.
While the Hawks responded to continue to lead 18-10, two four pointers in the final eight minutes allowed the Warriors winning rights in an absolute nail-biter.
A try by winger Lachlan Henry in the 27th minute kept the Warriors in the game when success was looking distant.
However, the honours were all but decided when slippery five-eighth Joe Morris capped off his outstanding game when he sniffed out a gap and deftly chipped ahead for speed machine Aaron Hooper to gather and score with just three minutes remaining.
Half-back Tom Morris soaked up the pressure and converted from near the sideline to seal the result.
In the Grand Final, Wattles will meet the winner of the preliminary final clash between Highfields and Gatton.
A Grade
Wattles 36 (Matt Duggan 3, Kai Williamson-Duggan, Austin Jennings, Matt Christensen, Travis Burns tries; Travis Burns 3, Kai Williamson-Duggan goals) defeated Gatton 22.
Reserve Grade
Wattles 20 (Darby Peardon, Jordon Henry, Lachlan Henry, Aaron Hooper tries; Tom Morris 2 goals) defeated Gatton 18.
- Glyn Rees
