“Wattles Back in Winner’s Circle” The Wattles Warriors - TopicsExpress



          

“Wattles Back in Winner’s Circle” The Wattles Warriors ‘National Farmers Warehouse’ A Grade side consolidated their position on the top rung of the Toowoomba Rugby League ‘Hutchies Cup’ premiership ladder on Saturday evening with a hard fought 24 – 16 victory. It was a night of and for celebration for the Wattles Club, Ambassador Tarla Brennan’s ‘Ladies in Winter’ lady’s night, recognising the contribution of women to the Wattles club, a wonderful success despite the cool damp evening. To put the icing on the ‘Warriors’ cake they collected premiership points in all grades, also winning reserve grade 36 – 20 and Under 18 in a gutsy effort to the very end 28 – 24. The ‘Warriors’ A graders had been unbeaten in the first eight rounds of the competition, but have suffered losses to Dalby & Gatton in their last two outings, the Gatton loss a nail biter in extra time in the Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy Final last weekend. While their injury list is a daunting concern for Coach Luke Duggan, he also had five regular A Graders out attending a wedding. “You are what you are on the day” said Duggan, “we showed genuine depth, and are back heading the right way up the ladder.” The Coach was more than impressed with what was a great win, “especially with so many of the guys out, I was stoked with the way everyone stood up, and we are looking forward to building on that for this week end.” Souths got away to an early lead on a cold & wet Platz Oval through a try by centre Sam Cocker in the eighth minute, but Wattles hit the ignition switch to run in four unanswered touchdowns to lead 24 – 6 early in the second half. Lock forward Aaron Scheid and second-rower Conor Swinton scored under the posts off classic passes by Matt Duggan in front of the ‘Ladies in Winter’ marquee to add a little more to their entertainment schedule. The Wattles tries along with two Matt Duggan conversions had the home side in front at half time 12 – 6. Wattles cashed in for another twelve points in the six minutes after the break, quicksilver back Dale McAntee capitalising on a Tim Hentschel break to score after two minutes of play in the second stanza, before centre Dan Manley sailed in for a four-pointer soon after. Wattles led 24 – 6 with 25 minutes remaining. Feelings were running a little high with ten minutes to go, resulting in home side front-rower Pat Manley being placed on report by Referee Randall Taylor. The ‘Tigers’ clawed their way back through tries by hooker Chris Richardson and five-eight Sean Loxley just minutes apart to trail 16 – 24 with twenty minutes to go, but a mighty defensive effort on both sides cancelled any further scoring opportunities. Winger Robbie Moore came close to adding to Wattles total four minutes from full time but the pass he took on his way to the corner was ruled forward. Wattles fullback Brodie Ciesiolka, who is usually five-eight, was in fine form and collected the ‘Hutchies Cup’ as Man of the Match, while centre Justin Van Der Poel was judged Wattles Player’s Player after an inspiring performance. Centre Dan Manley, halfback Matt Duggan and front-rower Carl Gale were also among Wattles’ best, hooker Mark Gordon making an impressive debut in the green & gold. Souths talented hooker Chris Richardson was among the ‘Tiger’ best, impressing throughout in a very hard fought encounter. Wattles 24 (Aaron Scheid, Conor Swinton, Dale McAntee, Dan Manley tries; Matt Duggan 4 goals) defeated Southern Suburbs 16. Reserve Grade For the Wattles ‘Railway Hotel, Allora’ reserve graders victory was sweet on Saturday evening given there were beaten by a nose by Souths, in their previous 2014 season encounter, this time Wattles took the win 36 – 20. Souths clever halfback Tony Clevins claimed the first try of the game after just five minutes, Clevins having just played a starring role in the ‘Tiger’s Under 18 close loss. ‘Warriors’ winger Will Duff scored in the ninth minute to level the ledger 6 all, before the visitors struck back through giant forward Keith Facey. But after a three try scoring rush before half time, Wattles cruised in at the break leading 24 – 12. Green & gold try scorers included tireless second-rower Alex Morris, who is always a danger near the line, and Brodie Frizzell who pocketed two touch downs in the shadow of half time. Frizzell bamboozled the defence in executing his first try, before cantering over to score from fifteen metres out. The ‘Warriors’ kept the pressure on in the second half, centre Garth Lonergan crossing twice before front-rower Jason Nightingale barged over. The ‘Tigers’ ran in two tries to try and keep pace with the home side but it was to little to late Wattles comfortably collecting the points for their third win of the year. Nightingale got through a tremendous workload in a highly rated performance that also netted him the ‘Player’s Player’ honours, while Garth Lonergan & Brodie Frizzell were always a concern of the opposition. Wattles 36 (Will Duff, Alex Morris, Brodie Frizzell 2, Garth Lonergan 2, Jason Nightingale tries; Brodie Frizzell 4 goals) defeated Southern Suburbs 20. Under 18. Wattles ‘Allora Foodworks’ Under 18 side set the ball rolling for a night of Wattles victories after they defeated the Southern Suburbs ‘Tigers’ in a nailbiting finish, 28 – 24 to register their third win of the season. Coach Shaun Henry was chuffed with his side’s performance, the ‘Warriors’ young guns never hit the lead until the final minute of the game, “ Our two halves Tom Henry & Joe Morris gelled well and our forwards led the way in a courageous win.” Coach Henry was particularly impressed with how his side rallied in the final ten minutes to engineer a gutsy win. Wattles Under 18 side can boast one of the most damaging running packs in the League, and led by prop Mitchell Duff they wore the ‘Tigers’ down across the seventy minutes of play. Forwards Jake Christensen, who also pocketed two tries, and Ben Ranger were strong throughout, as was fullback Will Bashford whose goal kicking was on the mark with four from five attempts. After 25 minutes of the game the ‘Tigers’ led 25 – 0 before Wattles snared tries through Jake Christensen & Dalton Neilsen to trail 10 – 25 at half time. Hooker Christensen caught Souths unawares often with his dummy-half darts. He scored another try immediately after the break, that was answered by Souths to have the scoreboard reading Wattles behind 16 – 24. When classy lock Max Somes sliced through six minutes from full time Wattles could smell a victory. They handled all that the desperate ‘Tigers’ could muster before a slick touchdown by halfback Joe Morris brought the Platz Oval crowd to their feet and assured victory, ‘Radar’ Bashford icing the cake with a successful conversion. Enthusiasm was running high in the Wattles’ defence, Jake Christensen, Mitchell Duff, Max Somes and Harry Fulward all crowded at the top of the tackle count sheet, Duff, Fulward, Bashford & Dalton Neilsen taking the honours for most hit-ups. Clever halfback Joe Morris received ‘Player’s Player’ honours from his team mates. Wattles 28 (Jake Christensen 2, Dalton Neilsen, Max Somes, Joe Morris tries; Will Bashford 4 goals) defeated Southern Suburbs 24. Wattles hit the highway next Sunday heading to Oakey to take on the local ‘Bears’ outfits. Matches kick-off at: 11.45 am (Under 18), 1.10 pm (Reserve Grade) and A Grade at 2.30 pm. Glyn Rees
Posted on: Wed, 18 Jun 2014 06:55:38 +0000

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