Sport
17 August, 2022
Wattles Juniors Taste Success in Warwick
Wattles Junior Rugby League teams headed to Warwick on Saturday for their final round of the 2022 Warwick & District competition against the Eastern Suburbs Hornets.
Under 6 - Wattles Clifton Upholstery Under 6’s were in exceptional form on Saturday wrapping up their season.
The boys gave it a red-hot crack, and although they didn’t come out victorious, they managed to rack up ten touchdowns.
Hunter Gault crossed for three tries while Braxton Harper and Jonah Schwenke collected two each for the team.
Jace Macura and Lawson McPherson earned themselves a try each, but all the boys put in a cracking effort and all should be proud of themselves.
Under 7 - It was wet weather footy in their final match of the season for the Willett Electrical Wattles Under 7’s.
The young Warriors certainly enjoyed sliding over the try line to score.
Chaz Daley, James Patterson, George Mullen, Henry Ferguson and Archie Moore were all quick in defence and all found gaps in the Eastern Suburbs line.
James Patterson put up a great kick off, the ball flying over opposition heads, James also showing more confidence taking on the defence, finding gaps and running lines.
George Mullen’s confidence has improved, finding gaps and pushing through, and working hard in defence.
While Buddy Turner was absent for Saturday’s game, he is another whose confidence has improved so obvious with his line breaking and tackling.
Archie Moore covers plenty of field space as he hunts for tackles with his fast defensive plays.
The season as seen Chaz Daley fine tune his sharp defence featuring great tackles, a result of improved confidence.
Fast bullet Henry Ferguson finds room to involve himself in near every tackle across the field, and has shown he is a proven try saver.
Under 8 - It was a great season ending game by the Railway Hotel, Allora Under 8’s according to Coach Tim Johnson, Wattles holding Eastern Suburbs scoreless.
Chaz Burcher and Laclan Wapau were very impressive.
Try scorers included William Erhlich, Hunter Ryan, Thomas Saville, Henry Johnson and Carter Lyons.
Toby Schmidt crossed for a memorable try after running the length of the field, fending off numerous defenders as he left opposition players in his wake.
What about Rhys Gascoyne, so strong again despite injury and under Mum’s orders not to play, still managed to excel on one leg !
Under 9 - “A great game to end the season” said a happy Coach in George Berry, and also George’s coaching journey with this Dalrymple Landscape Haulage Under 9’s team.
“I’m very proud of how they’ve all improved over the last few years since the early days of Under 6’s & have certainly enjoyed my time working with them.”
Ayden Willett and Alex Wolski cross for tries, while James Mason came agonisingly close also to scoring.
Rylee Boom, Flynn McInnes, Saxon and Malakai Darlington, Noah Schwenke and Harry Jones all had strong games.
William Berry’s defence once again was a highlight with some bone jarring tackles & a couple of tries.
Under 10 - The Russell McMillan coached Black Toyota, Warwick Under 10 Warriors played well across the field, to finish with a positive result.
The Hornets were a touch short on player power, with Adam Butler and Jackson McMillan two young Warriors to help out and both scored tries in their temporary colours.
Levi Zadow and Tom Peters were in fine form for Wattles while Jack Shannon & Adam Butler played their best games of the season.
Bryce Bateman and Leo Thompson-Cleary were the Warriors top defenders, while Brodie Delvendiep was very impressive with his tackling and running the ball.
It’s been a rewarding season according to Coach McMillan, “the team has improved exceptionally.”
Under 11 - The Clifton Auto Ag Services Under 11 team took on the Hornets in a tough and somewhat aggressive game, both teams not giving an inch and tackling very well throughout the game.
Close to the end of the first half Jade Bailey scored a brilliant solo try that saw him run 55m to score untouched.
This well and truly opened the flood gates for the Warriors to score another two quick tries in succession to Cooper Zadow and Jed Hinz.
All conversions were kicked with Jake Burns, Jed Hinz and Diego Shepard-Picton successful.
This year these junior Warriors have gone through their season undefeated, including a draw against Goondiwindi at home.
“A great team effort” commented Coach Ian Brady, “I have been coaching this team since they were Under 8’s, it has given me great pleasure watching them improve in leaps and bounds.
They are an extremely talented group of boys and I look forward to watching their football improve under a new coach from next season, a different voice will help these guys immensely.”
Under 12 - The Ryanie for Tyres Wattles Under 12’s lined up against the Toowoomba Southern Suburbs Under 13 team on Saturday.
Trailing 10 – 0, Wattles seemed somewhat shell shocked by their older opponents but hit back with a Jack Burton try, to go to the break trailing 10-4.
Wattles defence shut down numerous South’s raids, before they stepped up a gear in second half with a second try to Jack Burton.
South’s replied scoring wide out to take a lead of 14-8 .
A strong all-round performance by Archer Steinhart saw him score on the full-time bell, with extras kick from wide out unsuccessful.
Souths snatched the honours 14-12 in a mighty Wattles effort that wrapped up their 2022 season.
Under 15 - The Drayton Medical Centre Wattles Under 15 side faced a depleted but courageous Eastern Suburbs combination of just nine players.
It was agreed to play 9-aside footy to give all players a game, with Wattles proving the better side finishing ahead 58-0.
Coach Tom Duggan was most impressed with his team’s terrific ball control in wet conditions and their ability to keep the opposition to nil.
Wattles Under 15 are now looking forward to finals footy.
Tries: Rylan Marks 3, Paddy Denny 2, Corey Gascoyne 2, Dante Shepphard-Picton, Axil Mathie, Ben Barbierato, Malakai Steinhardt, Brian Williams and Billy Peardon.
Goals: Paddy Denny 2, Malakai Steinhardt, Corey Gascoyne, Jayman Spina and Angus McPhee.
Under 17 Ladies League Tag - Wattles Club Hotel Under 17 League Tag ladies fell short against Easter Suburbs losing 28-6
Alex Gilmore scored the Warrioress’ sole touchdown while Stephanie Lyons was on target with the conversion.
Under 17 - It was a positive 26 – 12 win for the Hamblin Builders Under 17 Warriors over Eastern Suburbs, in their final season fixture match, with classy centre Hamish Gartery posting a hat trick of tries.
Wattles backs certainly found the room to move and convert it in to points in a very encouraging team effort praised by Coach Shane Wright.
Wattles led 12 – 6 at the break, with halves Corey Dehan and Lachlan Perdon in scheming form.
Forwards Sam Gilmoreand Adrian Titus, including front-rowers Darcy Betts and Graham Hopper took the Warriors forward while backs Daniel Morris and Hamish Gartery made the most of the opportunities.
Tries: Hamish Gartery 3, Damiel Morris 2, Billy Joppich. Goals: Koby De Luca.
Warwick & District Junior Rugby League
Semi-Finals - Saturday 20th August.
Gilbert Oval, Goondiwindi
Under 13 - Wattles vs Tenterfield.
Under 15 League Tag - Wattles vs Collegians.
Under 15 - Wattles vs Goondiwindi.
Under 17 League Tag - Wattles vs Eastern Suburbs.
Under 17 - Wattles vs Collegians.
- Glyn Rees
