Sport
9 August, 2023
Wattles edged out in vital top-grade clash
Despite two eye catching high flying tries by centre Lachlan Henry in Sunday’s TRL Round 16 clash at Platz Oval, the Stillwater Pastoral Company Wattles Warriors fell short of a vital victory as the Gatton Hawks snatched a 16 – 8 success.
The home side Warriors also celebrated their highly successful 2023 Lady’s Day that drew a packed crowd.
Mr Perpetual motion Nick Van der Poel shone for Wattles, along with fullback Jake Meddleton and back-rower and Players Player award winner Ty Gardner.
But the line of Warriors to put their hand up in the courageous effort was lengthy.
“The boys were playing out of their skin” according to coach Travis Burns.
“No one could question the toughness of Wattles effort, we weren’t given a chance by many pundits to win, and it was only a couple of smarter decisions by Gatton on the back end of the game that got them over the line.”
Wattles captain Ty Gardner praised the teams younger brigade who delivered throughout, and commended five-eight Tom Morris on his superb kicking game.
Winger Mitch Bourke toiled endlessly in the middle and on the edges while the forward pack led by bookends Noah Dwyer and Jacob Leach handled everything the Hawks through at them.
A positive result was all important to the Warriors two games out from the finals series, as they struggle to cement a top five position.
After an unexpected loss last week to a gallant Pittsworth Danes outfit, Wattles needed a victory in their final three outings to book a finals series ticket.
Second on the Hutchinsons Builders A Grade premiership ladder the Gatton Hawks were firmly in the sights of coach Travis Burns and his top-grade Warriors, but Gatton held on to win in arguably the toughest game played at Platz Oval this season.
With the score at nil all in the 30th minute, a half back Braydon Paix raking punt down field saw will-o-whisp centre Austin Jennings gallop ninety metres before being collared by the defence centimetres from the Gatton try line.
Five minutes later the rampant Hawks registered first match points through a touch down by wily back-row veteran Shannon Hicks, that saw his team settle in at half time with a 6 - 0 half time advantage.
Wattles struck back minutes into the new stanza when five-eight Tom Morris kicked across field deep in the Hawks half that had centre Lachlan Henry leaping high for a spectacular catch that would have made the great Ablett proud, and dive over to score in the south west corner.
Morris and Henry repeated the dose five minutes later to see Wattles edge to an 8 – 6 lead with a half hour to play.
Two tries in the space of four minutes midway through the second half by Hawks lock Jake Self and centre Tyrell Woodley saw them snatch what would be the winning lead.
Gatton 12 (Shannon Hicks, Jake Self, Tyrell Woodley tries; Hayden Lipp 2 goals) defeated Wattles 8 (Lachlan Henry 2 tries).
Reserve Grade - The reserve grade Warriors certainly had to earn their spurs in their 18 – 16 win on Sunday against a very tough Gatton outfit intent on improving their position on the ladder.
A Hawks win would have seen them jump ahead of Wattles, but with the home side success Wattles remain at the top of the Clive Berghoffer Land Sales premiership.
Centre Tim Hentschel scooted through in just the second minute of the game to claim his sixteenth try of the season and allow Wattles an early 6 – 0 lead.
While the Hawks struck back some twenty minutes later, A Warren Draper try had the home side leading 12 – 6 at the break.
Both sides banked tries in the second stanza with Josh Henry crossing for Wattles to lead 18 – 10.
The Hawks pressed their case with just minutes on the clock with a try to Lisita Hafoka to make for a nail biting final five minutes.
Eden Blewitt was in superb form off the bench, with forwards Dan Rub and Garth Lonergan providing fine support.
Micheal Duggan, Ryan Lewis and Tom Henry were also among those to shine in a gutsy performance.
A three from three goal kicking effort by Alex Morris from around the ground proved vital to Wattles result.
Wattles 18 (Tim Hentschel, Warren Draper, Josh Henry tries; Alex Morris 3 goals), Gatton 16.
Under 19 - A dominant performance by the Under 19 Black Toyota, Warwick Wattles line-up saw them overpower Gatton 28 – 14 and consolidate their fourth position on the TRL premiership ladder.
Back rower Reuben Sullivan lead the way for the Warriors, with wingers Koby De Luca and Chris Watt and back-rower Jamie Hamilton all impressing.
Wattles ran up a convincing four try 20 – 0 lead by the 21st minute thanks to De Luca who crossed for two classy tries, the first after just four minutes, along with Sullivan and man mountain Aiden Suhan.
Wattles defence was impressive late in the first half, and helped usher them to a 20 – 10 lead at the break.
Further touchdowns to Harry Fry and Chris Watt shut the game out in Wattles favour.
Wattles 28 (Koby De Luca 2, Aiden Suhan, Rueban Sullivan, Harry Fry, Chris Watt tries; Koby De Luka 2 goals), Gatton 14.
Round 17 - The Wattles Warriors head to Goondiwindi on Sunday up against the local Boars in all grades.
- Glyn Rees
