Sport
5 June, 2025
Duncan Headlines Massive Wattles Victory
Five-eighth Dwayne Duncan’s superb form was a key contributor to the Wattles Warriors’ dominant 52 – 20 success against the Toowoomba based Southern Suburbs Tigers at Clifton’s Platz Oval on Sunday.
Duncan was also a shining force in Wattles’ previous outing, a win over the Goondiwindi Boars.
The victory over the Tigers consolidated the home side’s second position on the Toowoomba Rugby League Hutchinson Builders A Grade premiership ladder behind the undefeated Gatton Hawks.
Sunday’s first day of Winter top grade win also proved the ideal backdrop for the well-attended Wattles club’s annual Ladies Day celebrations.
To open Wattles Ladies Day program Gatton took on Southern Suburbs in the Toowoomba Sports Club Women’s premiership, Gatton finishing as impressive 48 – 12 victors against its understaffed opponents.
Dwyane Duncan’s kicking game proved a governing factor in the result, along with his organisational combination with halves partner Tom Hatch.
The Tigers ranks were somewhat strained with a number of talented Under 19 players called up to reinforce the line-up, but they were never a threat to the premiership points.
Wattles racked up nine tries to Souths’ four for the game, and while the Tigers registered first on the scoreboard to lead 6 – 0 due to a fifteenth minute touchdown by their five-eighth Ryder Huth, Wattles eased to a 22 – 6 advantage by half time.
Recently selected Toowoomba Clydesdales 47th Battalion Divisional Championships back Matt Christensen crossed in the south east corner of Platz Oval after eighteen minutes for Wattles opening try, levelling the scoreboard.
Hooker Dan Taber snatched a close to the uprights touchdown from dummy-half in the 24th minute, followed by further four-pointers by back-rower Domenic Whittingham and
classy centre Connor Williams.
Bustling winger Mitch Bourke opened Wattles’’ second stanza scoring account with a try after seven minutes, followed by ever present support Whittingham with his second touchdown.
Wattles guesting Western Clydesdales front-rower, man mountain New Zealander Lopini Kioa scored his Wattles debut try five minutes later, followed by a Dwayne Duncan four-pointer and a second for incisive winger Christensen.
The spirited Tigers lifted in the later stages, and while Wattles appeared to close up shop with ten minutes remaining, the visitors ran in three late tries providing their match total with some deserved respectability.
Wattles 52 (Domenic Whittingham 2, Matt Christensen 2, Dan Taber, Connor Williams, Mitchell Bourke, Lopina Kioa, Dwayne Duncan tries; Dwayne Duncan 7, Tom Hatch goals)
Southern Suburbs 20 (Ryder Huth, Luke Maiden, Mitch Wilkes, Tait Cameron tries; Ryder Huth 2 goal)
Reserve Grade
Wattles Reserve Graders snatched the vital premiership points in the final minute of play against Southern Suburbs.
Trailing 22 – 24 as the match clock wound down, a unique grubber kick ahead by fullback Dion Willett as he bustled through defenders in the final minute,
found its way into the arms of half back Tom Morris who raced away to score the match winner.
The 28 – 24 result hoisted Wattles to third rung on the Clive Berghofer Land Sales Reserve Grade premiership ladder.
Front-rower Mitch Duff was without doubt player of the match, and also named Wattles’ Players’ Player, the big man having a telling and vital impact on the game.
Tom Morris was also among Wattles’ better performers, the playmaker organising his troops to stay in step with a determined Tigers outfit.
Wattles’ defence was found wanting against their energetic opponents, with the result eventually going down to the wire.
Wattles 28 (Warren Draper, Aaron Mitchell, Koby de Luca, Tom Duggan, Tom Morris tries; Koby De Luca 3, Tom Morris goals) defeated Southern Suburbs 24.
Under 19
The Warriors Under 19 line-up was a shadow of the side that staged a gusty fightback in its previous fixture against Goondiwindi to nail a crucial victory, crashing to the Southern Suburbs Tigers 14 – 40.
Another slow start to a game put Wattles at a disadvantage.
Southern Suburbs ran in five first half touchdowns to a single Wattles four-pointer to centre Mason Watson, the Tigers holding court at half time leading 26 – 4.
Watson was Wattles’ exceptional performer, with team mates fullback Atticus Sullivan, front-rower Seb Hepner and bench forward Charlie Spina also excelling throughout.
Wattles lifted in the second stanza but it proved too little too late as the polished performance by the Tigers took its toll.
Winger Jack Phelan finished off a play instigated by Mason Watson to score midway through the second stanza, while Watson scooped his second try minutes from full time.
Southern Suburbs 40 defeated Wattles 14 (Mason Watson 2, Jack Phelan tries; Mason Watson goal).
Toowoomba Rugby League Round 9
The TRL Premiership will enjoy a bye Round this weekend due to the QRL Central Division 47th Battalion Championships in Bundaberg.
Wattles next take the field in the Round 9 clashes with Brothers at Toowoomba’s Glenholme Park on Sunday, June 15th 2025.
- Glyn Rees
