Sport
15 March, 2023
Wattles Juniors shine in season opening trials
The Wattles Warriors juniors launched their 2023 rugby league season with a massive footy gala day on home soil at Clifton’s Platz Oval on Sunday, hosting the Pittsworth Junior Danes over nine hotly contested matches.
Wattles President Aaron Gilmore praised players, officials and volunteers from both clubs on a day where everyone made a positive contribution to a tremendous start to the new season.
Both magnificently presented Platz Oval fields hosted matches, some games coping with rain falls welcomed by many onlookers.
Across the board coaches were more than pleased with their team’s first match form, all noting they have plenty to build on for the coming season from a very capable stable of young players.
While many teams saw new faces in their ranks, the Under 6 line-up provided plenty of entertainment with new players in their first team experience.
And it wasn’t just the players, team coach Nick Van Der Poel enjoyed his first outing as a coach in what can be considered a memorable and emotional experience.
Nick was a member of the Wattles seniors A Grade team that won the Toowoomba Rugby League premiership last year, and will be lining up with the top graders again in 2023.
Nick commenced his rugby league career as an enthusiastic young 8-year-old with Wattles, and on Sunday his son 5 years old Ollie debuted in green and gold in Wattles’ Under 6 team, coached by Dad.
The Clifton Upholstery Under 6 combination of five stood tall against the sixteen from Pittsworth; congratulations to the new generation of Aubrey Thompson-Cleary, Kohan Sutton, Oliver Van Der Poel, Oliver Dore and Hayden Williams.
In an encouraging boost for the club, the Jared Gault coached Willett Electrical Wattles Under 7s also saw many new players take the field in green and gold - over half the team in fact.
The Under 7s showed “some real talent in attack and defence” according to a happy coach, “they all gave 100 per cent effort and had a blast.”
Wattles’ Railway Hotel, Allora Under 8 outfit, including some new faces, posted a solid start to the season noted by coach Shadai Daley.
Kit Gilmore, Leo Williams, Jay Townsend, Henry Ferguson, Jackson Wilson, Chaz Daley, James Patterson and Buddy Turner are all looking to the season ahead.
The Chris Ryan coached Wattles Under 9 Dalrymple Landscape Haulage Pty Ltd team can be happy with their first outing form against a Danes line-up boasting 19 against the Warriors gallant ten.
It was a debut at the helm for coach Ryan also.
Chris’ family name is highlighted in Wattles Platz Oval Clubhouse, his father the late Dan Ryan, a former Wattles and Clydesdales player of considerable fame, his name adorning the Dan Ryan Memorial Shield contested annually by Toowoomba’s Brothers and Wattles clubs.
The Black Toyota Wattles Under 10s provided coach Ian Brady with plenty of enthusiasm for a positive season ahead.
The talented under 10 line-up: Flyn McInnes, Noah Schwenke, Rylee Boom, Aydan Willett, Alex Wolski, Oscar Robinson, Malakai Darlington, Max Death, Saxon Darlington, James Mason, Harry Jones, William Berry, Sophia Voss and Liam Hoey.
It was a tough day at the office for the Russell McMillan coached Clifton Auto Ag Repairs Under 11s up against a very skilful Pittsworth line-up that also boasted numbers.
Classy outside back Michael Willett pocketed two tries for the Warriors in the later stages, while Adam Butler claimed his side’s only other touchdown early in the game.
Stalwart overseer George Gall’s Ryanie for Tyres Under 12s posted a handy four touchdowns to three over the Danes.
His team’s performance was a bit scratchy in the judgement of the coach.
However, Jake Burns, Jed Hinz, William Bishop, Rily Hardy and Thomas Patterson all had solid games. Cooper Zadow also impressed as did Jade Bailey.
“We have some improve-ments to address, but happy with the first hit out.”
Glen McMillan was happy with his Nutrien Harcourts Clifton Under
13 team’s initial season hit out, his players defending admirably to hold the Danes scoreless.
Wattles Warriors’ team combinations were very good and something that can be developed further through the year.
Try scorers for the Warriors included Declan Fogarty (2), James Saddlier, Edison Barton, Jack Burton, Hugh Denny, Jake Burns; while Ty Betts (2) and Hugh Denny kicked goals.
Wattles’ Drayton Medical Centre Under 15 team was far to tough a challenge for Pittsworth, running out 38-12 victors and pleasing coach Tom Duggan immensely.
Play making five-eighth Paddy Denny shone through with a try hat trick while Harry Wright claimed a double in the centres.
Sam Smith, Brian Williams and Jackson May also crossed for four-pointers while Paddy Denny was on target with three goals.
Wattles Hamblin Builders Under 17s kicked off another season in search of that premiership that has been so elusive in recent seasons with a 2–16 win over a tough Danes outfit.
Representative centre Hamish Gartery collected a double to help the home side build a victory total.
Rylan Marks ran in Wattles’ initial touchdown in the opening minutes before Gartery crossed for his first with half time closing in.
Wattles opened the second stanza ahead 12–4 before tries by half Billy Peardon and Gartery to hold a 20–4 with twenty minutes to go.
The Warriors had to dig deep as the Danes embarked on a late fightback that reaped two tries.
Hamish Gartery and Bryce Stewart added goals that ended up the winning margin.
Wattles juniors head to the Granite Belt this Saturday, March 18th for matches in all grades against the Stanthorpe Junior Gremlins.
- Glyn Rees
