Sport
2 August, 2023
Wattles Juniors Clash with Collegians Dragons
For Wattles, all roads led to Warwick on Saturday as the junior Warriors took on the Collegians Dragons at their Jackie Howe Drive facilities in all grades.
The Wattles Club Hotel, Clifton Under 17 Ladies League Tag side played out a classy 16 – 12 win over their city slicker opponents, with coach Dan Wallis singing their praises.
Green and gold try scorers included Tayah Wallis, Abbey Monckton & Alex Gilmore while Steph Lyons was successful with two conversions.
The thrilling play of the game came from Billie Leigh Gorringe with just two minutes remaining and Wattles down by two points.
Billie gained possession from a kick-off restart and set up the winning try for Alex Gilmore and a prized team victory.
Willett Electrical Under 7 - The smallest Warriors posted a classy game against the Dragons.
Bailey Moncton scored a great try double, while Oliver Dore impressed across the park.
Kaiden Williams and Kowan Sutton made big yards through the middle while team mates Aubrey Thompson-Cleary and Oliver Van Der Poel dragged down some fine tags and carted the ball up in fine fashion.
With only a couple of fixtures remaining, the Under 7’s are continuing to improve according to proud coach Nick Van Der Poel.
Railway Hotel, Allora Under 8 - In their first game back after a break, Wattles and Collegians went one for one scoring tries, until the final five minutes of play.
Alas few dropped balls saw the Dragons find the try line.
Wattles made some great tackles and communicated effectively on field.
Henry Ferguson, Chaz Daley and James Patterson all scored try doubles each, while Buddy Turner also claimed a touchdown.
Dalrymple Landscape & Haulage Under 9 - Wattles Under 9’s are certainly keeping their winning form alive with a six tries to three success over Collegians.
Will Erhlich had an excellent all-round game, his defence a feature along with his touching down for two tries.
Carter Lyons, Rhys Gascoyne, along with Jack and Isaac Saddlier all shone in the line-up.
“It was another solid team effort by all players” said coach Chris Ryan.
The Under 9 Warriors were super excited to be playing at half time at the NRL Titans v Cowboys game on Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
The Titans won 22 – 13, while the junior Warriors ran on against Warwick’s Eastern Suburbs and collected three tries to nil.
Clifton Auto Ag Service Under 11 - The sixteen member Under 11 Warriors squad won the approval of Coach Russell McMillan after a solid effort against Collegians, scoring four tries to six.
Fullback Jackson McMillan ran in two touchdowns in a shining performance, while half/hooker Levi Zadow, hooker Leo Thompson-Cleary and go-ahead forward Bryce Bateman were significant contributors to the result.
Ryanie for Tyres Under 12 - While their attacking play was effective at times, it wasn’t the best defensive day for Wattles Under 12 side in a tough outing against the Dragons.
The lengthy recent lay off appears to have taken the edge off some of the Wattles teams.
Jack Harrigan and Jake Burns were impressive, while Cooper Zadow, William Bishop, Jade Bailey & Benjamin Butler made quality yards running the ball.
Coach George Gall thanks the Under 11 player who stepped up a grade.
Brice Bateman ran strongly while Dustyn May, Jed Hinz and Levi Zadow played well.
Try scorers were Jack Harrigan, William Bishop & Cooper Zadow.
Nutrien Harcourts Clifton Under 13 - Bruising defence was a feature of the early stages of the Under 13 fixture won 26 – 16 by Wattles.
The Dragons claimed the first touchdown before Wattles settled in to cross for two consecutive tries by Jack Burton and Archer Steinhardt.
Some sloppy ball play gifted Collegians a try to lock the scoreboard at 12-12, before Wattles capitalised on an error to lead 18-12 at the break.
While the second half was also a tight affair with both sides trading touch downs, it was Wattles who scored in in the final stages to seal a win.
Solid defending front rower Bailey Neumann was in prime form in the engine room.
In a classy team effort Jack Burton, Hugh Denny and James Saddlier along with Archer Steinhardt played exceptionally, while halves Jonte May and Ty Betts impressed as they found space for supports.
All In Electrical Under 15 Girls League Tag - The Wattles Under 15 Girls League Tag team match was a very closely fought tussle.
While the scoreboard told a different story, coach George Berry felt his Wattles side was the better throughout the game.
“A lot of unforced errors was our ultimate undoing.”
“The girls were well up to the challenge of playing a top two line-up”.
There were many highlights during the contest but the defensive efforts by all in green and gold, and the kick chase and a 60m try to Tilly Baty were the standouts.
Drayton Medical Centre Under 15 - The Wattles Under 15’s couldn’t quite seal the victory against Collegians in a very close contest.
The Dragons opened the scoring after an accumulation of green & gold errors.
While having had to defend many sets, Wattles eventually gained possession and scored through Malakai Steinhardt.
The Warriors held a 6-4 advantage at the break, before both teams exchanged early tries in the new half, Wattles Max Parry touching down.
Some individual brilliance by Paddy Denny resulted in another Wattles try on the end of an 80-metre gallop.
While holding a 16-14 lead with minutes remaining, lost possession and errors gifted Collegians a scoring opportunity and victory.
Collegians 20 defeated Wattles 16 (Malakai Steinhardt, Max Parry, Paddy Denny tries; Paddy Denny 2 goals).
Hamblin Builders Under 17 - A day to forget for the Under 17 Warriors who were on the end of a 28 – 0 loss to the rampant premiership table leading Dragons.
While second on the ladder, Wattles certainly appeared to have lost their edge over the recent five-week absence from club fixtures, the result described by coach Shane Wright as “disappointing.”
While affected by some key injury losses, Wattles were very flat and lacked effort, while Collegians were too good all over the park.
Round 13 - This Saturday has the Wattles Warriors heading west to take on the Junior Boars at Goondiwindi’s Gilbert Oval.
- Glyn Rees
