Sport
10 June, 2022
Wattles Claim Rod Frahm Trophy
In anything but inviting weather the ‘Stillwater Pastoral Company’ Wattles Warriors top graders outlasted a grinding seesawing encounter with a gutsy Dalby Diehards outfit to brush off the mud after finishing victors 20 – 16.
The completion of play saw Wattles skipper Travis Burns presented with the ‘Rod Frahm Memorial Cup’ from Mrs Janette Frahm, wife of Wattles’ late Life Member Rod.
Both teams struggled at times with frustrating ball security issues on a mud sodden Platz Oval, but they trudged it out try for try in a true grit performance.
Captain/coach Burns was proud of the effort his charges put in to snatch their late in the game victory, after front-rower Jordan Crocker jammed through a Diehards gathering in the goal mouth to score the match winner.
Halfback Matt Duggan added a conversion and Wattles eased ahead but had to hold their determined opponents for a final torrid five minutes after having trailed 14 – 16 behind the unrelenting Diehards.
Wattles slick winger Aaron Hooper showed his blistering speed after five minutes to allow Wattles an early lead 4 – 0 lead, and repeated the dose twenty minutes later in his favoured north-east corner of Wattles home ground.
Full marks to Kai Duggan who stepped in to the fullback jersey in the absence of regular #1 Jackson Green, and made his own significant contribution to the victory as he handled the late in the game Dalby high ball challenge brilliantly.
Green sustained a leg injury prior to the game but is expected to be on deck for next weekend’s clash with Gatton.
Burns also rated Ryan Stevens’ effort at hooker stepping in late for usual rake Kai Duggan, powerhouse running forward Mitch Duff who was called on to the bench late and the superb effort of playmaker Matt Duggan.
It was the Warriors sixth success from seven premiership outings so far in the 2022 season, which has also necessitated club President Amanda O’Halloran having to make room in the club trophy cabinet for silverware including the pre-season Barrett Family Shield, the Ragh Family Trophy last week and now the Rod Frahm Memorial Cup to date.
Saturday night’s conquest resulted in Wattles seventh Rod Frahm Memorial Trophy honour, with Dalby able to boast eight.
Wattles 20 (Aaron Hooper 2, Mitch Duff, Jordan Crocker tries; Matt Duggan 2 goals) defeated Dalby 16 (Billy Jackwitz, Sam Fermer, Travis Babington tries; Alex Duneman 2 goals).
Reserve Grade - A massive second stanza thrust by the ‘Tony Morris Tiling’ Wattles reserve graders saw them maintain their deserved top of the table ranking after being ahead 24 – 0 when the fulltime hooter sounded.
Given the wet weather, “it was obviously pretty crazy conditions to play in” according to co-player/coach Garth Lonergan.
“We had to really grind it out in the first half and just stay in the contest. The second half was probably our best half of footy all year, our ball control was excellent considering the conditions and again it’s was really good to keep another team to 0.”
It certainly wasn’t all beer and skittles though as both teams headed to the dressing rooms at the break level nil all.
A Tom Morris penalty goal soon after half time unlocked the Warriors point scoring cabinet, closely followed by a touchdown by hooker Jack Duggan.
A typical Dale McAntee scoot through traffic on the right side added to his season try total, and when Ben Duff crashed through some hopeful defence in the goal mouth later in the half Wattles had seized the moment to lead 18 – 0.
Some gifted work by winger Lachlan Henry on the grandstand sideline presented fullback Josh Henry with a gift try under the uprights to seal the match.
The classy Henry and seasoned veteran forward Aaron Scheid took players of the match recognition.
Wattles 18 (Jack Duggan, Dale McAntee, Ben Duff, Josh Henry tries; Tom Morris 4 goals) defeated Dalby 0.
Under 19 - Lachlan Hearne came off the bench to cross for the ‘Black Toyota, Warwick’ Wattles Under 19 side’s only touchdown in their 70 minutes of play trying to bring the Diehards machine to a halt.
The Diehards’ finished 38 – 4 convincing winners with their winger Alexander Lindsay proving himself an effective mud runner nailing a hat trick of tries to write home about.
Dalby stashed together five touchdowns to lead convincingly 24 – 0 at the break, but the Warriors lifted in the second stanza limiting the visitors to three additional four-pointers.
Regardless of the scoreboard Wattles boasted standouts, Darcy Minnikin named Players/Player.
Top defender Will Denny and team skipper Jamie Hamilton also shone with admirable performances by 17-year old’s Rueben Sullivan and Lachy Peardon.
Alas it just wasn’t to be for Wattles in the trying conditions, and so back to the drawing board for Coach Cameron Hamblin and his Warrior colts this week.
Dalby 38 (Alexander Lindsay 3, Nate Fermor 2, Hunter James, Lachie Smith, Jack Welsh tries; Braydon Falvey 2, Alexander Lindsay goals) defeated Wattles 4 (Lachlan Hearne try).
Wattles head to Gatton this coming Saturday taking on the local Hawks in all grades at Cahill Park, the A Grade game kicking off at 6.30pm.
Glyn Rees
