Sport
22 March, 2023
Jack Burton scores five tries in Gremlins raid
The warm weather certainly didn’t interfere with the ability of Nutrien Harcourts Clifton Under 13 hooker Jack Burton, who collected a five try haul against the Stanthorpe Gremlins on Saturday, leading his side to a 58 - 12 win.
Collectively Wattles ran in eleven tries to dominate and defended admirably throughout, the match in their grasp when leading 30 – 4 at half time.
Wattles’ result shines even more given they were short on forces, initially taking the field with only eleven players.
Coach Glen McMillan commended all in his line -up, with special mention for Jack Burton, Ty Betts and his bone-jarring defence and Jonte May who provided quality guidance for the team.
Wattles 58 (Jack Burton 5, James Saddlier, Bailey Gascoyne, Xavier Delsanto, Ty Betts, Bailey Naumann, Hugh Denny tries; Ty Betts 5, Jack Burton, Hugh Denny goals) defeated Stanthorpe 12.
Club President Aaron Gilmore rated the day an overall success and commended the many young players, officials and volunteers for the efforts in very warm conditions.
Under 6
Wattles newest Warriors, the Clifton Upholstery Under 6s handled their second ever game with aplomb as they took on the Gremlins applying all their new found skills.
Coach Nick Van Der Poel was again impressed by the effort of his young troops including Rohan Sutton, Bailee Monckton, Kaiden Williams, Oliver Van Der Poel and Oliver Dore.
Under 7
Despite a half dozen absentees, the Willett Electrical Warriors certainly enjoyed a fine game, a mighty effort by all to achieve a success.
Wattles’ champions Zac and Evie filled in for a low on numbers Stanthorpe line-up in a great show of sportsmanship.
Coach Jared Gault praised his young troops for spreading out in defence and limiting the opportunities for the home side to score.
Under 8
It’s been a special welcome back to league for Railway Hotel, Allora Wattles Under 8s with coach Shadai Daley extending a warm welcome to new players Kit Gilmore, Leo Williams and Jay Townsend.
The Under 8 line up also boasts a new assistant manager in Kylie Hay.
Leo Williams led the Warriors on to Briggs Oval on a warm morning, while Jackson Wilson kicked off.
The young Warriors were exceptional chasing down the junior Gremlins displaying quality defence and well executed tackles.
As they endeavour to lift skill levels, the last two trials have seen the Under 8s with a player in two roles, dummy-half and first receiver swapping each quarter.
The young players are developing an understanding of each role and are doing their best to be in position when needed.
Wattles’ try scorers were Henry Ferguson, Chaz Daley, Jackson Wilson and Buddy Turner.
Under 9
The Chris Ryan coached Wattles Under 9 Dalrymple Landscape Haulage Pty Ltd team can be happy with their second season, this time against the Gremlins.
Under 10
The Black Toyota Wattles Under 10s coach Ian Brady was absolutely ecstatic with the improvement shown by his playing group over the last fortnight.
General talk and organisation particularly from halves, Malaki Darlington, Saxon Darlington, Noah Schwenke and Oscar Robinson has given the team direction.
Our forwards were led with great enthusiasm by Harry Jones, Alex Wolski and James Mason all running hard and straight and tackling in pairs.
Our backs are starting to understand field position and when to launch themselves into the game.
“We can only get better the more we play”.
Under 11
Wattles Clifton Auto Ag Repairs Under 11s have hit the ground running in their second trial on the season.
Coach Russell McMillan has numbers and ability at his disposal, resulting in numerous tries posted against the Gremlins.
Beau Henry crossed for a clever touchdown while Brodie Del Ven Diep ran in his career debut try.
Along with a number of classy performances Adam Butler was again among the Warriors’ best this week.
Under 12
The Ryanie for Tyres Under 12 Warriors impressed across the field according to coach George Gall, who commended the efforts of all his line-up in the very warm conditions.
An obvious improvement in defence provided necessary benefits for Wattles.
All team members played their part in a pleasing outcome, but when the ball was sent getting plenty of air it paid dividends, with Jack Harrigan pocketing four tries and William Bishop also nabbing a four-pointer.
Wattles were very effective midfield resulting in tries to Riley Hardy (2), Jed Hinz, Thomas Patterson and Dusty May.
Cooper Zadow, Jed Hinz, Levie Zadow, Jade Bailey and Diego Shepherd-Picton were all on target with goals.
Under 15
Coach Tom Duggan and his staff are very happy with how the Drayton Medical Centre Warriors Under 15 side is developing and improving over the past couple of weeks, their attack in particular having been very impressive to watch.
Two try hero Brian Williams and his front partner Henry McMillan were well above average performers in the engine room yet again.
Orry Gilmore and Harry Wright we’re also very impressive in attack on the weekend.
The defence was strong in the first half but leaked too many points in the second half, which is what the side will be focusing on leading into the season.
Wattles 30 (Harry Wright 3, Brian Williams 2, Orry Gilmore tries; Marty May 3 goals) def. Stanthorpe 26.
Under 17
An undermanned Wattles Hamblin Builders Under 17 side rose to the occasion on Saturday to finish ahead of Stanthorpe 32 – 18.
Wattles ran on with a bare thirteen line-up but managed a six try to three advantage over the home side in the stifling conditions.
Coach Shane Wright shared the accolades among his team, but rated highly the performances of full-back Ben Barbierato, solid winger Jack Phelan and workaholic forwards Graham Hopper, Lachie Bishop and Corey Gascoyne.
Wattles 32 (Hamish Gartery 2, Bryce Stewart, Ben Barbierato, Rylan Marks, Billy Peardon tries; Bryce Stewart 4 goals) defeated Stanthorpe 18.
U15 Girls League Tag
Wattles’ Under 15 ladies’ first game of the year was a close encounter from start to finish and the result could’ve gone either way.
Some early dropped ball, a disallowed try and some very tired legs were probably the only differences between the two teams.
The girls weren’t afraid to throw the ball around and made plenty of line breaks.
The season ahead is looking good for the team with a great mix of experience and new player enthusiasm.
Stanthorpe 26 defeated Wattles 18 (Mini Shephard-Picton 2, Alex Gilmore, Teeah Davis tries; Alex Gilmore goal).
U17 Girls League Tag
Wattles 40 (Alex Gilmore 2, Billie-Leigh Gorringe 2, Teeah Davis 2, Jessica Bateman, Matilda Baty tries; Steph Lyons 4 goals) defeated Stanthorpe 12.
This Sunday, Wattles Juniors take on the Southern Suburbs Tigers from Toowoomba on home turf at Clifton’s Platz Oval.
- Glyn Rees
