Please note javascript is required for full website functionality.

Sport

19 July, 2021

Matt Duggan stars in Wattles eleven try blitz

Wattles borrowed a leaf out of the NRL one-sided results book on Sunday 11 July, handing out an eleven try to one walloping of the Dalby Diehards to win 70-4 in front of a much-deflated Dalby home crowd.


The Wattles Warriors looking resplendent in their Toowoomba Rugby League Indigenous Round jerseys prior to taking the field against the Dalby Diehards at Dalby.

Half-back Matt Duggan was in superb form as Wattles’ play-making general around the park, rewarded with being named Player of the Round.

His performance included a try and eleven goals from twelve attempts for a 26-point personal tally against the dismal Diehards.

The result saw Wattles move to second place on the A Grade competition ladder with 18 premiership points, ahead of Highfields on for and against.

The points floodgates opened when green and gold hooker Kai Williamson-Duggan touched down after just eight minutes, followed five minutes later by Matt Duggan for the Warriors to ease ahead 12–0.

Dalby showed some spark to reply with a four-pointer by winger Ryan Welsh, for what would be his side’s only points of the game.

The Warriors methodically added another 58 points at regular intervals in a more than convincing victory.

In what was Wattles’ sixth successive win coach Travis Burns felt it was his side’s best performance of the season.

The Warriors’ forward pack proved relentless against the Diehards, who are always a tough hurdle on their home track.

Wattles’ big four of Dale Perkins, Brendan McBryde, Michael Pearson and Mitch Duff certainly earned their spurs rolling over the home side, McBryde fast building a reputation as one of the competition’s best forwards.

Wattles’ overall fitness is particularly evident as the season rolls on, and they are showing the results of their improved speed around the ruck that reaped dividends against Dalby.

The match was a far cry from when the two teams met back in Round 1, when a stubborn Diehards outfit clawed their way back from a 14–0 deficit to win 32–14 and reclaim the Rod Frahm Memorial Trophy at Platz Oval.

Pre-match press suggestions ranked Dalby as Wattles’ bogie side, a comment that lost all credibility after the match had taken place.

Wattles 70 (Jackson Green 2, Steve Eliott 2, Matt Christensen, Braydon Wilson, Matt Duggan, Kai Williamson-Duggan, Michael Pearson, Joe Mua, Brendan McBride tries; Matt Duggan 11 goals) defeated Dalby 4 (Ryan Welsh try).

RESERVE GRADE

Wattles 26 (Brenden Wilson, Joe Morris, Tom Morris, Jordan Henry tries; Tom Morris 5 goals) defeated Dalby 6.

UNDER 18

Dalby 72 defeated Wattles 10 (Jacob Meddleton, Lucas Torrisi tries; Jacob Meddleton goal).

- Glyn Rees



Most Popular