Sport
1 May, 2025
Platz Oval History in the Making
Some second half nerves had Wattles A Grade coach Travis Burns on the edge of his seat in Friday evening’s Anzac Day clash with the Highfields Eagles at Platz Oval, and while the Eagles lifted the intensity in the final forty minutes, Wattles finished 30-22 to snatch a third successive victory.
One of the biggest crowds ever to pour into the Platz Oval complex witnessed the activation of the playing field’s lights that came at a cost in excess of $430,000 and an Anzac Day tribute highlighted by the presence of members of the 11th Light Horse Darling Downs troop.
The lighting upgrade was officially opened by Member for Condamine Pat Weir, and Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald.
A special guest was CEO of the Queensland Rugby League Ben Ikin.
Wattles Firing Across the Board
Aside from the first-grade success, the Will Manley coached reserve graders filed an 18-10 win while the Under 19 line-up under the charge of Cameron Hamblin stumbled as they attempted to maintain their unbeaten run of late with a 22-24 loss.
The first grade Warriors appeared to serve notice of a looming dominant performance when centre Matt Christensen took full advantage of some quality ball from halfback Tom Hatch to burst through twice from ten metres out and wide to the right of the uprights to have the home side up 10-0 after just twelve minutes.
The first half proved lucrative for Christensen, posting the first try hat trick under the new Platz Oval lights after touching down yet again in the 33rd minute.
The loss of three-quarter Connor Williams to the sin bin saw Wattles short staffed from the 23rd minute, but the home side onslaught continued when back-rower Tyson Stevens showed a burst of speed after combining in Eagles territory with winger Alex Hinch.
The Eagles put points on the board ten minutes prior to the break through winger Diesel Bergsma to trail 6-14, before Christensen’s third touchdown secured a convincing 20-6 half time lead for the Warriors.
Highfields was far from out of the contest however, crossing for two tries in the opening six minutes of the second stanza to trail 18-20.
Winger Jake Brauer found the try line in the opening minute of the second half, and Bergsma snatched his second try soon after.
When home side winger Alex Hinch skidded in midway through the stanza to score, the unconverted try lifted Wattles’ shaky lead to 24-18.
Three minutes later it took Eagles winger Brauer to post his second four-pointer for the visitors to be threatening 22-24 on the scoreboard.
The final fifteen minutes was a battle royal as Wattles battled to maintain their advantage, and Highfields tried to build on a sniff of victory, striving for their initial winning result for 2025.
With three minutes left in the game front-rower Alex Donn sealed the match when he charged over to score, and with a Tommy Hatch conversion Wattles finished 30-22 victors in a nail biter.
Christensen’s hat trick gives him a season touch-down total of six after just three games, and on Friday evening he was judged ‘Player of the Match’.
Halfback Tommy Hatch continued his prime form while centre Connor Williams impressed and teak tough hooker Dan Taber was a shining light at dummy half.
The Highfields encounter was the Warriors’ toughest to date after recent wins over Dalby and Oakey, but they will be tested again this Sunday when they front the Pittsworth Danes for the prized silverware of the Jack Duggan-Gary Sutton Shield.
Wattles 30 (Matt Christensen 3, Tyson Stevens, Alex Hinch, Alex Donn tries; Tom Hatch 3 goals defeated Highfields 22.
Mitch Duff Enforcer
Experienced front rower Mitch Duff led by example against Highfields in Friday’s Reserve Grade clash, paving the way for a Wattles 18-10 victory.
Big man Duff played a key role in Wattles’ opening touchdown, with a hefty charge and gem of an offload for Darby Peardon to make his way to the try line after seven minutes of play.
Paul Christensen came off the bench and provided plenty of impact for the home side, while fullback Will Jackson, a rugby union convert from the Toowoomba Bears, impressed in his debut game for Wattles.
Warriors book ends Duff and John ‘Smasher’ Lazzaroni completed plenty of minutes in the hefty traffic making bulk vital metres through mid-field.
Wattles 18 (Darby Peardon, Warren Draper, Lachy Clements, Gus Hutchison tries; Will Jackson goals) defeated Highfields: 10 (Chad Lebsanft, Trent Hill tries; Reily Land goal.
Under 19s Edged Out in Nail Biter
Wattles’ colts made up plenty of lost ground after trailing 10-20 at half time on the end of a four try surge by Highfields.
They dominated the second stanza out-scoring their opponents but just fell short after a classy touchdown by Seb Hepner.
Fullback Pat Malone was exceptional while centre Mason Watson and back-rower Darcy Betts also shone in Wattles near thing.
Highfields 24 defeated Wattles 22 (Jack Phelan, Tom Fenwick, Pat Malone, Seb Hepner tries; Mason Watson 3 goals)
Sunday’s Games
Wattles vs. Pittsworth (Round 4) at Platz Oval.
Under 19, 11.30am; Reserve Grade, 1pm; A Grade (Jack Duggan – Gary Sutton Shield). 2.30pm.
- Glyn Rees
