Sport
9 August, 2023
Wattles Juniors impress in the wild west
Last Saturday saw the Wattles Warriors juniors head to Goondiwindi for their Round 13 Warwick & District Junior Rugby League fixtures, returning some encouraging results.
Club President Aaron Gilmore offers his many thanks to those parents and players who made the trip out to Goondiwindi, and indeed all venues throughout the season.
Clifton Upholstery Under 6 - Wattles Under 6 coach Nick Van Der Poel was happy with the effort of his team and the numbers that ventured to Goondiwindi.
Oliver Van Der Poel had his best attacking game this season, while Oliver Dore also stood as try scorers.
Aubrey Thompson-Cleary and Bailey Moncton were very strong in defence, while Kaiden Williams and Elsie MacPherson ran the ball exceptionally.
Dalrymple Landscape & Haulage Under 9 - Wattles Under 9s enjoyed a classy seven to five try win over a very determined eighteen player Goondiwindi squad.
The young Warriors showed great character and had to dig deep to keep their unbeaten record intact.
Hunter Ryan was tireless in defence and with the ball in hand and scored a very deserving try.
Rhys Gascoyne was at his running best scoring twice, while Isaac Saddlier showed his speed and agility crossing for a try double.
Jack Saddlier and Henry Johnson also collected tries.
Carter Lyons and William Erlich were very solid in defence.
Coach Chris Ryan was extremely pleased with the team effort, and thanked parents/family members for their commitment to training and travelling to games this year
Black Toyota, Warwick Under 10 - Noah Schwenke put on an absolute clinic with his smart, eyes up football against the junior Boars.
During the first half Noah played in the forwards, his tackling was exceptional as was his running game, but it was during the second half as hooker he turned the game.
Great darts from dummy half, good kicks and a super chasing game led to two fantastic tries.
Another to shine was the ever-reliable William Berry.
Bruising defensive work saw Will return to playing his best footy.
Malakai Darlington, Saxon Darlington, Harrison Jones and Mahalia Williams were all very effective in defence.
William Zisser was again good in all areas of the game.
Clifton Auto Ag Service Under 11 - An Adam Butler 80 metre try was a highlight of Wattles’ Under 11 side performance against a very strong Goondiwindi Boars outfit.
The young Boars were an impressive package that included some gifted players, but regardless, Wattles coach Russell McMillan is more than happy with the improvement his team has shown this season with just a single fixture remaining.
Wattles were short some player talent and numbers, but Levi Zadow tackled well in his hooker/half role, while Bryce Bateman and Leo Thompson-Cleary were strong overall.
Malea Moore shone with a great second half effort.
Ryanie for Tyres Under 12 - Wattles Under 12s were in better form this week crossing for four tries.
Coach George Gall felt his players made it hard for themselves, and need to work on line speed and their defence, but otherwise he was happy with the effort.
Jake Burns and Jack Harrigan both enjoyed fine games, while Benjamin Buttler, Jade Bailey, Jed Hinz and William Bishop also impressed.
Cooper Zadow was a loss after just five minutes with a shoulder injury.
Get well soon Cooper!
Dustin May, Levi Zadow, Tommy Peters, Bryce Bateman and Malea Moore are to be commended for stepping up from the Under 11s with numbers short.
Nutrien Harcourts Clifton Under 13 - Wattles Under 13 side got away to a late start due to an injury to a Goondiwindi player in the previous game.
All at the Wattles Club members wish that young player a speedy recovery.
Eventually the Warriors got away to continue their winning 2023 season run finishing ahead of the home side 26 – 18.
Archer Steinhardt, Jack Burton, Jonte May and James Saddlier were among those to shine in green and gold.
Drayton Medical Centre Under 15 - The Tom Duggan coached Wattles Under 15 line up had a welcome win on Saturday defeating Goondiwindi 30 - 18.
Despite being short a number of troops, the team delivered one of the best 60 minutes of footy this season.
Hard running front-rower Henry McMillan opened the scoring in the very first set and the Warriors took control of the game from the outset.
Ory Gilmore scored a hat-trick from dummy half while Jackson May scored a double.
Chase Hough and Malakai Steinhardt were also impressive throughout.
Hamblin Builders Under 17 - Wattles high on the premiership ladder Under 17s returned to the winner’s circle this week snatching a nail-biting 28 – 24 result over Goondiwindi.
With the scoreboard locked at 16 – 16 at the break, Wattles crossed for two second half touchdowns that secured the result.
Coach Shane Wright is looking at honing up a number of his side’s strengths, including commitment and more of a focus on effort.
“We’re a bit disjointed, we are a work in progress as we head in to the finals series,” he said.
The Under 17 line up was short on troops, but back-rower McCabe Miller was in fine form, and supported well by Charlie Spina, Billy Joppich and Jack Phelan.
Wattles 28 (Atticus Sullivan 2, Jack Phelan 2, Billy Joppich tries; Ben Barbierato 4 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 24.
Round 14
This Saturday will see Wattles take the field for their final 2023 season fixtures, all happening on home turf at Platz Oval.
Opposition guests for the day are Stanthorpe Junior Gremlins.
- Glyn Rees
