Sport
1 August, 2025
Christensen blazes four tries in thumping victory
A rampant Wattles Warriors top grade outfit led by Matthew Christensen ran roughshod over the Oakey Bears on Sunday at Clifton’s Platz Oval, running in ten tries to two in a Toowoomba Rugby League Round 14, 52 to 12 winning result.
Toowoomba Clydesdales representative centre three-quarter Christensen had the ball on a string as he crossed for a quad of touchdowns in a result that further consolidates the Warriors’ hold on the second rung of the TRL first grade premiership ladder.
In chilly breezy weather the three-match program was all Wattles’ way, with their Reserve Graders finishing 58 – 10 victors over the Bears, and the Under 19 line-up too polished for the South Burnett Eagles thrilling the home crowd with a 50 – 4 success.
Despite the A Grade end result, Oakey was holding a 6 – 4 lead at the 25-minute mark having capitalised on a Wattles’ error in the opening minutes of the game.
Former NRL half and Bears captain/coach Ashley Taylor scored to secure a 6 – 0 confidence building lead, before Wattles hit back in the eleventh minute with a Christensen touchdown.
It took the Warriors most of the initial 25 minutes to get their game in order, with the Bears often having them pinned in their half.
When hard running back-rower Jackson Shelswell ran off halfback Tom Hatch and found the tryline, Wattles aimed up to race in another three tries, two by Christensen and another by winger Mitch Bourke on the way to a 26 – 6 lead at the break.
They were back in try scoring mode in the first minute after the restart when winger Will Jackson scooted twenty metres down the eastern side on the end of some quick hands.
The match was all but sealed by the 57th minute when Christensen scored his fourth, a gem of a try from thirty metres out, off a Tom Hatch long pass from the scrum base.
Tempers flared at stages throughout the second stanza seeing the sin bin in use for both sides.
The final fifteen minutes saw Wattles near scoring at will with hooker Jack Duggan, centre Connor Williams, and captain/lock Nick Van Der Poel all claiming four-pointers.
Oakey added to its total in the final minutes through a try by back-rower Marcus Spence.
Matthew Christensen was
a constant threat with the ball, explosive in attack, while halfback Tommy Hatch and skipper Nick Van Der Poel were also among Wattles’ better performers.
Wattles had the benefit of the return of giant Western Clydesdales aligned front-rower Lopini Kioa, a welcome addition after completing a suspension.
Wattles 52 (Matt Christensen 4, Jackson Shelswell, Mitch Bourke, Will Jackson, Jack Duggan, Nick Van Der Poel, Connor Williams tries; Dwayne Duncan 6 goals) defeated Oakey 12 (Ashley Taylor, Marcus Spence tries; Tony Clevin 2 goals).
Reserve Grade
Coach Will Manley was all smiles with his Wattles reserve grade team easing into clear third place on the premiership ladder on the back of a domineering performance to outscore Oakey 58 – 10, ten tries to two.
Wattles club captain Ty Gardner continues his sensational return from a lengthy injury outage, the former Clydesdales representative back-rower claiming a try hat trick.
Gardner was “best on ground” according to coach Manley.
Mr Jack of All Trades Will Hauser shone in Wattles’ three-quarter line, performing more than capably in yet another position in the line-up.
Front-rower Marley Tunstead impressed as did former A grade back-rower Jacob Leach, coming off the bench in an injury comeback.
Wattles 58 (Ty Gardner 3, Will Hauser, Zac Alberts, John Lazzaroni, Craig Mitchell, Dion Willett, Hamish Gartery, Koby De Luca tries; Koby De Luca 9 goals) Oakey 10.
Under 19 (Wattles vs. South Burnett)
Front-rower Tom Fenwick was the shining light in Wattles being hoisted back to the competition victory dais on Sunday, when they accounted for South Burnett 50 – 4 after leading 18 – 4 at the break.
Fenwick has been in outstanding form of late, and claimed a try hat trick as the Eagles struggled to contain the big man.
Hard running forward and Players’ Player award winner Graham Hopper was more than a menace for the visitors, while halfback Bill Peardon had a very busy game, as did Wattles Juniors’ Under 17 graduate Paddy Denny.
Wattles 50 (Thomas Fenwick 3, Graham Hopper, Sunnie Tunstead, Mason Watson, Hamish Gartery, Patrick Denny, Ben Barbierato, Sam Gilmore tries; Mason Watson 3, Pat Malone, Bryce Stewart goals) South Burnett 4.
Toowoomba Rugby League Round 15
Saturday 2nd August, Platz Oval, Clifton
Wattles Warriors vs. Brothers Leprechauns
The prestigious Dan Ryan Memorial Shield will be the much pursued A Grade prize on Saturday evening when Wattles clash with Brothers.
Under 19 – 3.30pm;
Reserve Grade – 5pm;
A Grade – 6.30pm.
Platz Oval will host a full day and evening of rugby league on Saturday in the form of a ‘Super Saturday’ with Wattles’ junior and senior clubs combining.
Warwick & District Junior Rugby League and Toowoomba Junior Rugby League fixture draws will see all Warriors Junior teams Under 6 to Under 17 at Clifton to challenge the Stanthorpe Junior Gremlins.
- Glyn Rees
