Sport
30 August, 2023
Cowboys bump Wattles from finals race
The Warwick Cowboys emerged victorious from Saturday evenings Toowoomba Rugby League Elimination Semi-Final at Clifton’s Platz Oval outlasting the Stillwater Pastoral Company Wattles Warriors in a typically hotly contested Southern Downs local derby 26 – 20.
The Warwick side will now head into next weekend’s finals round up against the Gatton Hawks at Cahill Park in Saturday’s TRL Knock Out Semi-Final.
The result ends the Warriors tenure as reigning TRL first grade premiers earned a year back when they accounted for Gatton in the season decider.
The Warriors and the Cowboys had pocketed a win apiece over the past fixture season, and Warwick claimed the Barrett Family Shield in an impressive season opener.
Saturday’s contest showed all the hallmarks of finals football, and both sides finished with four tries each in front of a packed crowd.
Warwick sharp shooter Caleb Murphy was on target with five from five goal attempts which made the difference on the scoresheet.
The Cowboys led 14 – 4 at half time and eventually rode to victory on the back of a splendid defensive performance and a forward pack that gouged major metres through Wattles middle.
Warwick enjoyed quality field position across the initial stages of the game, and the ice was broken on a chilly evening when centre Morgan Byrne sliced through from eight metres out to snatch a 6 - 0 lead.
A penalty goal by five-eight Caleb Murphy minutes later added to the Cowboys advantage before Haydn Raumati ran in a second touchdown.
Wattles rarely ventured into Cowboys territory in the opening half, but an attacking opportunity ten minutes from half time saw five-eight Tom Morris kick to the corner from deep in opposition territory for winger Jake Meddleton to take the high ball and score.
Wattles emerged for the second stanza with a renewed commitment and when skipper Ty Gardner broke through to outlast chasers and score after seven minutes it threw out a vital challenge with Warwick leading 14 – 10.
While Wattles had lifted a gear across the park, Warwick eased ahead in the 55th minute courtesy of touchdown by Harry Sullivan.
With the scoreboard reading 20 – 10 in Cowboys favour, Warriors back-rower Tyson Stevens steamed through a gap from eight metres out off the shoulder of five-eight Morris to score.
Cowboys Mitch Wilson crossed minutes before full time to appear to shut the game out at 26 - 16, and despite a Matthew Christensen touch down in the shadow of the full-time siren it was too little too late for the Warriors.
Wattles captain Ty Gardner led his side by example, while centre Austin Jennings, back-rower Tyson Stevens, centre Lachlan Henry and five eight Tom Morris impressed in the losing line-up.
Warwick 26 (Morgan Byrne, Haydn Raumati, Harry Sullivan, Mitchell Wilson tries; Caleb Murphy 5 goals) defeated Wattles 20 (Jake Meddleton, Ty Gardner, Tyson Stevens, Matthew Christensen tries; Brayden Paix 2 goals).
Under 19’s Bow Out - Wattles Black Toyota Warwick Under 19 team suffered a nail-biting defeat at the hands of the Goondiwindi Boars at Platz Oval on Saturday, a golden point field goal by half back Trae Bonnetto presented the Boars with a 23 – 22 victory.
While Bonnetto crossed for an early try after just five minutes of play to give his side a 4 – 0 lead, the remainder of the first half was all the Warriors way with tries by winger Koby De Luca, hooker Lachlan Hearn and fullback Lachlan Clement fuelling a 16 – 4 half advantage.
Classy back-rower Jamie Hamilton was rewarded with a try in the opening minutes of the second stanza to boost the Warriors to a 20 – 4 lead.
The young Boars emerged in the new half a different team, and took control having the Warriors on the back foot.
Two tries had them trailing 16 – 20 before a lengthy injury stoppage seemed to contribute to a momentum loss for the Warriors.
A superb kick chase try by Ronald Duncan saw the Boars take a 22 – 20 lead.
With the match winding down a Koby De Luca penalty goal levelled the scoreboard at 22 – 22 five minutes from full time.
With six minutes gone in extra time Bonnetto opted for a field goal attempt on a fifth tackle and the ball sailed over to advance their stay in the 2023 finals series.
The game was certainly one that got away for Wattles.
Along with Hamilton, team captain John Lazzaroni, Lachlan Hearn, Chris Watt and back-row dynamo Reuben Sullivan shone in the times final performance of the season.
Coach Cameron Hamblin commended his team for an excellent year, the best for a Wattles Under 18/19 team for well over a decade.
Goondiwindi 23 defeated Wattles 22 (Koby De Luca, Lachlan Hearn, Lachlan Clements, Jamie Hamilton tries; Koby De Luca 3 goals).
Reserve Grade Com-mence Finals Campaign - The TRL Minor Premiership winning Wattles Warriors Reserve Grade team take the field in Toowoomba on Sunday at the John McDonald Sporting Complex fronting up against home side the Valleys Roosters in the Toowoomba Rugby League Major Semi-Final.
A winning result for Wattles could lead to a place in the Grand Final on September 17th.
Grand finalists last year, the Wattles side enjoyed a break last weekend.
The Reserve Grade coach is confident he will have his best line-up on the field against Valleys in what is looming as the Warriors toughest contest of the season.
- Glyn Rees
