Sport
29 March, 2023
Cowboys Ride to 18th Barrett Shield Win
The Warwick Cowboys rose to the occasion on Saturday at Father Ranger Oval to overwhelm the Wattles Warriors top grade outfit and fierce weather conditions to drive home a 16 – 4 Barrett Family Shield win in front of a very supportive home crowd.
For Warwick Coach Col Speed the game was the ideal result and intensity as his charges prepare for a clash with the Highfields Eagles next Sunday at Father Ranger Oval.
Speed’s troops handled the abysmal conditions better than the Warriors, taking full advantage of opportunities in the slippery lightning lit conditions.
Darryl Erepia was a shining light in the Cowboys stable.
“Darryl’s talk, energy and uplifting approach added much to the Cowboys performance,” according to Speed.
Erepia’s outstanding effort saw him named the recipient of the Terry Doyle Memorial Medallion as best and fairest player.
Front-rower Tui Oloapu took the challenge to the Warriors across a busy 70-minute spell while Cowboys young guns Nick Pails, Daniel Conn and Sam Raumati served notice they will figure prominently in the season ahead.
While Wattles looked to have the best of the first half, it was the Cowboys that took a marginal 6-4 lead into the half time break.
Wattles’ errors denied them the ability to bank their scoring opportunities throughout the game.
Full-back Matthew Christensen crossed for the initial try to give the Warriors a lead after 24 minutes.
The home side hit back nine minutes later after a penalty 20 metres from Wattles’ try line saw half-back Mitch Wilson give Warwick a 6-4 lead.
Speed rated the Cowboys strong defence as a key factor with the kicking game of Wilson and hooker Ben Sullivan contributing much to an impressive result.
Tries by centre Joe Fuimaono and five-eighth Harry Sullivan saw Warwick take a winning lead of 16-4 with twenty minutes remaining.
While disappointed with the loss Wattles’ coach Travis Burns felt his side took a lot out of the game.
The younger brigade stepped up and stood tall with the likes of halves Tom Morris and Brayden Paix along with long striding centre Lachlan Henry impressing.
Veteran forward Aaron Scheid set the example for his younger team mates with an outstanding effort.
New arrivals Noah Dwyer and Jacob Leech are welcome inclusions in Wattles’ pack while skipper on the night Nick Van Der Poel was considered Wattles’ player of the match.
RESERVE GRADE
Concerns over a thunderstorm saw the reserve grade trial concluded with 32 minutes to play.
Wattles’ Michael Marshall ran in a try after just five minutes before Braydon Wilson crossed ten minutes later to allow Wattles a 12–0 lead.
Warwick responded as half time approached with touchdowns by back-rower Morgan Byrne and half-back Dylan Lippi and a goal by Corey Stewart.
The Warriors took an 18-10 lead in at half time after centre Tim Hentschel ran into a gap from twenty metres out to touch down.
UNDER 19
A try after nine minutes by five-eighth Jonnah Duncan gave Warwick an early lead in the Under 19 clash, but a response for Wattles by Lachlan Hearn and Chris Watt allowed the Warriors a 12-6 half time lead.
A try by Cowboys full-back Tom Doherty tightened the scoreboard to 12-10 before a Wattles try by Harry Schwenke stretched the Warriors lead to 16-10.
Cowboys’ outside back Jamaine Smith touched down with six minutes remaining, the conversion locking the full time scores at 16-all.
WARRIORS FOCUS ON FRAHM CUP AS TRL SEASON KICKS OFF
Wattles head to Dalby this Saturday night for their opening match of the 2023 TRL season, taking on the local hero Diehards in A, Reserve and Under 19 grades.
Coach Travis Burns is keen to see a full-strength Wattles outfit on the paddock after last weekend’s absentee affected line-up.
Dalby has recruited well for the coming season and will provide Wattles with a rocky welcome as both sides battle it out in A Grade for the prestigious Rod Frahm Cup.
Wattles secured the Cup last year with a 20-16 win at Platz Oval and coach Burns has firm intentions that it remains at Platz Oval.
The trophy, in memory of Clifton based business identity and Wattles club Life Member Rod Frahm, was first contested in 2007 with Dalby snatching the winning honours.
Since then, Wattles have secured the award on seven occasions to the Diehards eight.
- Glyn Rees
