Sport
10 July, 2025
Gatton Hawks Madsen-Rasmussen Champions
Reigning Toowoomba Rugby League premiers the mighty Gatton Hawks staged a momentous fightback on Sunday evening at the Toowoomba Sports Ground to snatch their third consecutive Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy success over a gutsy Wattles Warriors outfit 22 - 18.
Fast starting Wattles galloped to an 18 - 0 lead over the undefeated Hawks by the 37th minute of the first stanza, before a Gatton touchdown saw the Warriors advantage reduced to 18 - 6 at the break.
As with the Warriors last fixture start against the Warwick Cowboys where they snatched a desperate 32 – 30 win on the bell, the Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy final was a game of two distinct halves.
Wattles sounded an ominous alarm across the first forty minutes as they dominated the Hawks, who are unbeaten in the premiership this year and who started Sunday’s mid-season final as favourites.
Powerhouse back-rower Domenic Whittingham was a shining light in Wattles line up and drew first blood after just five minutes of play capitalising on a grubber kick by five-eight Dwayne Duncan to see the Warriors claim an early 6 – 0 lead.
Wattles bothered the scoreboard attendant again five minutes later when centre Matthew Christensen cruised in to touch down courtesy of a bust by back-rower Tyson Stevens.
Quicksilver fullback Alex Hinch rallied up another green and gold four-pointer after skirting wide out as half time loomed.
With the Warriors dominating the scoreboard 18 – 0 in the 37th minute, Gatton chimed in for their initial points through a Mena Bakabaka four-pointer, lighting the wick for a spectacular match winning resurgence.
A defence focused Gatton emerged to score another three tries in the second stanza on their way to victory, a revitalised outfit after a less than convincing first forty minutes.
Hawks’ Leonard Burns and Olly Bichel crossed to see the ledger level at 18 all with fifteen minutes yet to play, and despite Wattles falling off the pace, the stage was set for a mighty battle heading in to full time.
The Hawks were in full flight in the latter stages and when winger Brad Zampech ran in is thirteenth season try a little over ten minutes prior to the final hooter, it proved a match winner.
Wattles on the other hand put the skids on for much of the second stanza in what resulted in a disappointing loss.
The contest could have gone either way right up until the final minutes, but the Hawks polished second half performance saw them ease to a deserved victory.
Gatton fullback Luke Self capped off a superb performance when named player of the match and recipient of the prestigious ‘Pollard Family Medal’, presented by Toowoomba region rugby league identity Mrs Joan McDonald on behalf of Mrs Thelma Pollard.
“Regardless of the result, I’m always proud of my players” said Coach Travis Burns when quizzed on his team’s performance.
“We played the near perfect first half, but we need to stick to the game plan for 80 minutes.”
Back-rower Tyson Stevens, halfback Tom Hatch and centres Matthew Christensen and Connor Williams we among those to impress in a game that slipped from the Warriors grasp.
With a single first grade match under their belts earlier this season, young Under 19 forwards of the future Sebastian Hepner and Thomas Fenwick received the call up to an injury affected Warrior’s line-up.
They weathered the rough and tumble of finals football with aplomb and gained well earned praise from Burns.
With the premiership having eased past the halfway point, Wattles commence their run to the 2025 Toowoomba Rugby League Finals Series this Saturday when they clash with Southern Suburbs in all three grades in Toowoomba.
Gatton 22 (Mena Bakabaka, Leonard Burns, Olly Bichel, Brad Zampech tries; Leonard Burns 3 goals) defeated Wattles 18 (Domenic Whittingham, Matthew Christensen, Alex Hinch tries; Dwayne Duncan 3 goals).
In other matches at a massive day of rugby league:
Presidents Cup - Under 19
Brothers 30 defeated Valleys 24
Presidents Cup - Reserve Grade
Warwick 32 defeated Valleys 28
BMD Women’s Premiership -
Western Clydesdales 20 defeated Tweed Seagulls 16
Toowoomba Sports Club Open Women 2025 Grand Final
Highfields 44 defeated Oakey 0
Hostplus Cup
Tweed Seagulls 42 defeated Western Clydesdales 12.
Toowoomba Rugby League Round 12 – Saturday 12th July
Southern Suburbs Tigers v Wattles Warriors
Gold Park, Toowoomba
Under 19 - 3.30 pm; Reserve Grade - 5.00 pm; A Grade - 6.30 pm.
- Glyn Rees
