Sport
23 August, 2023
Warriors tumble against rampant Roosters
The Stillwater Pastoral Company Wattles A Graders’ fixture season rolled to a halt on Sunday afternoon on the back of a 32 to 18 Round 18 loss to premiership leaders the Valleys Roosters at Platz Oval.
In magnificent weather and in front of a near capacity crowd the Wattles club hosted its highly successful Alzheimer’s Research Foundation charity day.
The Warriors reserve grade side took the field resplendent in purple Alzheimer’s Foundation jerseys sponsored by Allora businesses Bartranz Petroleum and White’s Garage, contributing much to the flavour of the day.
RESERVES
The Tony Morris coached Wattles’ reserve grade outfit’s 22 – 10 win over the Roosters was to be the home club’s only on field success for the day.
The win saw the Warriors perched on top of the Clive Berghofer Land Sales premiership ladder and so 2023 season Toowoomba Rugby League minor premiers.
In his debut season, the coach couldn’t speak more highly of his troops who built on a 12 – 6 half time lead to earn their first season silverware.
Forward enforcer trio Jordan Henry, Jack Duggan and Garth Lonergan paved the way for victory while team mates Michael Marshall, Braydon Wilson, Josh Henry and Michael Duggan also shone in a gritty team performance.
Valleys snatched an early lead in the reserve grade contest after an eleventh minute try, but half Tom Henry and finisher Warren Draper touched down to hold a green and gold half time dominance.
While the Roosters also nailed early points in the second half, Wattles team skipper Jordan Henry along with bustling centre Braydon Wilson scored to shut out the game.
Wilson’s touchdown was his 21st of the fixture season resulting in him earning TRL top reserve grade try honours for 2023, his centre partner Tim Hentschel in second place with seventeen.
A particular highlight was the try-saving tackle by hooker Jack Duggan in the 13th minute of the second half, embarking on a 40-metre chase to shut down a certain intercept try.
Wattles 22 (Tom Henry, Warren Draper, Jordan Henry, Braydon Wilson tries; Joe Willett 3 goals) defeated Valleys 10.
A GRADE
Wattles had the crowd on a string in the first minute of the A Grade contest when full-back Matt Christensen sliced through to score.
With the ball swung wide and right ten minutes later it was Christensen again nipping through from five metres out, allowing Wattles a 12 – 6 lead.
Valleys found their mojo though and rolled in three tries to lead comfortably
24 – 12 at half time.
Speed king Austin Jennings kept the Warriors within reach minutes after the break with a vital try, the home side then trailing 18-24.
Minutes later Jennings
and Christensen combined in a near thing that could have realigned the game.
With 20 minutes remaining on the match clock Valleys clever five-eighth Dwayne Duncan made the best of a raking kick up field to claim the Roosters’ fifth try and a 30 – 18 lead.
A Duncan penalty goal with seven minutes remaining put the game out of Wattles’ reach points wise and time wise, the result presenting the Roosters with the A Grade minor premiership.
Back-rower Tyson Stevens, centre Nick Van Der Poel and five-eighth Tommy Morris were among the Warriors to shine, coach Travis Burns proud of his side’s efforts against the leading premiership contenders.
The top-grade Warriors finished the fixture season in fourth place on the Hutchison Builders ladder.
Valleys 32 (Dwayne Duncan 2, Nick Ryalls, Dominic Whittingham, Chris Gesch tries; Dwayne Duncan 5 goals) defeated Wattles 18 (Matt Christensen 2, Austin Jennings tries; Braydon Paix 3 goals).
UNDER 19
Workaholic lock forward Reuben Sullivan took on the superior Roosters throughout in the Under 19 clash that proved to be a tough day at the office, while skipper and front rower John Lazzaroni led his pack admirably and three-quarter Chris Watt was always a danger in attack.
While they were on the end of a convincing 46 – 18 loss, the Black Toyota - Warwick Warriors impressed in the first half leading
12 – 10 four minutes prior to the break after winger Koby De Luka and centre Aiden Suhan tries.
But they were nudged out of a half time advantage when Roosters’ bench player Aston Fortier touched down on the cusp of the siren to give the Roosters a 16 – 12 lead.
Valleys found a few more gears from the second stanza restart running in five tries to lead 42 – 12 with eleven minutes to play.
Hard toiling forward Marley Tunstall scored to dress Wattles’ total with a little more respectability, but the Roosters responded yet again to reach their winning total.
Valleys 46 defeated Wattles 18 (Koby De Luca, Aiden Suhan, Marley Tunstead tries; Koby De Luca 2, Aiden Suhan goals).
Finals Series
The 2023 Toowoomba Rugby League finals series gets underway this weekend at Clifton’s Platz Oval with elimination semi-finals, Wattles’ Under 19s fronting up against Goondiwindi.
Wattles’ reserve grade have the benefit of a weekend off for the initial finals round after finishing top of the table, while Saturday will also see the Warriors A Graders take on the Warwick Cowboys in a local derby.
- Glyn Rees
