Sport
26 June, 2025
Duncan Influence Inspires Wattles
In a win at all costs contest for Allora-Clifton Wattles Warriors their player of the match Dwayne Duncan set the pace in the opening minute in Saturday evening’s dominant 42 – 10 Warriors victory over the Valleys Roosters at a more than chilly Platz Oval.
Five-eighth Duncan had the ball on a string as he deceived opponents to score just seconds into the match against his former club, allowing his home side a 6 – 0 lead.
Duncan also showed his abundant finesse with the boot, kicking six goals from seven attempts in positions across the park.
Wattles’ forwards were more than impressive across the eighty minutes, with the likes of front-rower enforcers Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard and Cooper Tate-Roche along with bench hard man Domenic Whittingham leading the charge to quell the Roosters go forward.
Along with star quality Duncan, co-playmaker Tommy Hatch was at his organisational best, heading up a back line without injured former Western Clydesdales centre Connor Williams.
Wattles racked up a crowd-thrilling seven tries to two against hard-line opponents of many decades the Roosters, with form three-quarter Daniel Jennings pocketing a try double along with first grade debutant finisher Will Jackson.
Jackson certainly looked a seasoned performer on Wattles left edge collaring vital touchdowns in the 28th and 75th minutes, in a performance that yielded deserved ‘Player’s Player’ honours.
After a near decade with Toowoomba Bears rugby union side, the versatile 28-year-old Jackson impressed coach Travis Burns, graduating to top grade following just two reserve grade matches.
Valleys snatched their initial touchdown in the 17th minute to trail 6–12 courtesy of Eric Boznanski, the scorer of both Roosters four-pointers.
Wattles lifted a gear on the run to the half time break with tries by Jackson and a gem under the uprights by bench forward Alex Donn on the end of a precise Dwayne Duncan pass.
Wattles lost Duncan to the sin bin ten minutes into the second half, but the green and gold charge adsorbed the drop in man power, extending their advantage by half time to a 24 – 6 lead, before half back Tom Hatch land a penalty goal after the restart in the 53rd minute.
Boznanski capped off a promising play to roll in his second try mid-way through the half, giving the Roosters a slim sense of hope trailing 10 - 26.
Winger Mitch Bourke collected a Jennings pass deep in the south-west corner to career in scoring untouched, before Jackson’s second four-pointer eight minutes later provided Wattles with a strangle hold on the match leading 38 – 10.
A late penalty fifteen metres out in midfield saw the ball fired right and wide for Jennings to cross deep in the grandstand corner sealing the win, arguably the Warriors best performance of 2025.
Wattles’ performance certainly brought a smile to Coach Burns’ face, given his team’s last outing hefty loss to Brothers.
Second on the premiership ladder, Wattles appear to have an inside lane to secure a Madsen-Rassmussen Final berth against the undefeated Gatton Hawks in a little over a week.
However beforehand, they have to contend with formidable local derby opponents the Warwick Cowboys on Sunday.
Wattles fell well short of success 34 – 16 in their last start against the Cowboys, the pre-season Barrett Family Shield.
However, Burns is confident is run-on seventeen for Sunday have the necessary goods to cater for traditional foes Warwick given the Warriors stellar effort against Valleys.
Wattles 42 (Will Jackson 2, Daniel Jennings 2, Dwayne Duncan, Alex Donn, Mitch Bourke tries; Dwayne Duncan 6 goals, Tom Hatch 1 penalty goal) defeated Valleys 10 (Eric Boznanski 2 tries; Jacob Robinson goals).
Reserve Grade
Despite the result, reserve grade coach Will Manley is of the opinion his line-up performed better than in their last start win over Brothers.
“While the players all stood tall against the Valleys challenge, we just had to many errors in our game”.
Experience centre Jake Meddleton impressed with some strong carries, while front-rower John Lazzaroni, five-eight Zac Alberts, centre Aaron Mitchell and consistent fullback Lachlan Clements provided impact.
Valleys 26 defeated Wattles 6 (Zac Alberts tries; Koby De Luca goal)
Under 19
Wattles Under 19 fell short by a try 16 – 20 of scaling their way back into the premiership ladder top five.
Towering front-rower Seb Hepner crossed after 14 minutes to have Wattles leading 6 – 4, but two later in the half tries saw Valleys ahead 16 – 6 at the break.
Wattles had the edge on the scoreboard in the second stanza on the back of a try double by exciting centre Sam Gilmore.
Gilmore’s second touchdown ten minutes shy of full time saw him wind his way through traffic from the grandstand side fifteen metres out in a show of individual brilliance to score under the crossbar.
A try in the final minutes to Valleys’ fullback Mahlee Crooks sealed the second on the ladder Roosters win.
For Wattles front-rowers Thomas Fenwick and Bryce Stewart led by example, as did threequarters Sam Gilmore and Mason Watson.
Valleys 20 defeated Wattles 16 (Sam Gilmore 2, Sebastion Hepner tries; Mason Watson 2 goals).
Toowoomba Rugby League Round 11
Warwick Cowboys v Wattles Warriors
Father Ranger Oval, Warwick Sunday 29-06-2025
A Grade – 2.30 pm; Reserve Grade – 1.00 pm; Under 19 – 11.30 am.
- Glyn Rees
