Sport
14 August, 2025
Treble touchdowns for Matt Christensen
Wattles proved an overwhelming force as they conquered the hopeful Valleys Roosters at Toowoomba’s John McDonald Sport Complex on a chilly afternoon last Sunday finishing the Round 16 match 44 – 24 convincing winners.
Allora-based experienced representative winger Matthew Christensen posted a hat trick of tries as he led by example in Wattles’ points compilation on the way to a vital victory with the Toowoomba Rugby League finals series just three weeks away.
Christensen’s three touch-downs lifted his impressive season total to 17, easing ahead of fellow TRL flyers Dalby Diehards fullback Chris Woodbridge (15) and Gatton Hawks wing finisher Brad Zampech (15).
A fortnight back he ran in four tries against the Oakey Bears in Wattles’ 52 – 12 success.
Having run on in 13 of the 16 premiership fixtures to date, Christensen is averaging near a try and a half a game, and is well in contention for Toowoomba Rugby League A Grade season Top Try Scorer honours, well within his reach with two fixtures to play prior to finals.
Along with Christensen, halfback Tom Hatch was impressive yet again, as was stand in five-eighth Dom Whittingham and man mountain forward leader prop forward Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard.
Wattles took the field without regular classy play-making five eighth Dwayne Duncan, missing his second consecutive match through injury, and rugby union convert winger Will Jackson.
Having recovered from the injury bench, centre Daniel Jennings and crafty hooker Dan Taber were seamless additions to the Warriors’ line-up.
Coach Travis Burns slid highly rated Whittingham into the five-eighth role, given his consistent attacking form and defence capabilities facing up against Roosters star half Denzel Burns.
The match provided onlookers with plenty of moments of excitement as they tried to keep warm, both teams running in twelve tries in total.
Wattles flexed their muscle across the opening forty minutes to eventually lead 28 to 6, at half time crossing for five tries to Valleys’ single effort.
The Roosters lifted in the second half, finishing strongly but not enough to threaten Wattles’ grasp on the game.
Despite the recent Round 15 loss to Brothers, the positive result against Valleys has Wattles back on second rung of the TRL Hutchinson Builders A Grade ladder, and while well positioned in the closing fixtures of the premiership, the coming two matches are must win events.
This Saturday will see Wattles up against the Goondiwindi Boars at Goondiwindi league hub Gilbert Oval, while Platz Oval will host the Dalby Diehards on August 24th in the season’s final fixture Round.
Both are danger contests that will throw up real challenges for the Warriors.
Wattles 44 (Matthew Christensen 3, Connor Williams 2, Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, Cooper Tate-Roche, Nick Van Der Poel tries; Tom Hatch 6 - from 6 - goals) defeated Valleys 24 (Kooper Diment, Sione Lopamaua, Salafuauli Falelua-Malio, Riley Zanett4 tries; Jacob Robinson 4 goals)
Reserve Grade
Three converted tries saw Valleys Reserve Grade line-up snatch a closely fought 22 – 16 winning result, after being well positioned at half time seeming in control leading 18 – 4.
Wattles’ sole first half try was scored by centre Austin Jennings who has been in sensational form since his long-term injury return in late June.
The match was always going to be a close tussle, Valleys holding down second place on the premiership ladder ahead of Wattles in third.
Wattles determined combination was desperate for a win as players position themselves heading in to the approaching finals.
The Warriors emerged at the re-start as contenders having the best of the final stanza scoring two tries by hard running forwards Dion Willett and Izahia McLeod, to a single Roosters touchdown.
A try by home side five-eighth Ben Cook proved the difference between the two teams.
Forwards Willett, McLeod, John Lazzaroni and Marley Tunstead along with clever centre Aaron Mitchell flew Wattles’ colours admirably.
Valleys 22 defeated Wattles 16 (Austin Jennings, Izahia McLeod, Dion Willett try; Koby De Luca 2 goals)
Under 19
While the Under 19 match was always doing to be a demanding challenge for Wattles against second on the ladder Valleys, it didn’t help the green and gold camp to run on with a contingent of just fifteen players.
Valleys built a sturdy 26 – 4 lead across the initial stanza, with hooker Sam Gilmore claiming the sole green and gold try.
Despite two further touchdowns by talented Wattles three-quarter Mason Watson, Valleys were an awesome force against their undermanned opponents.
Font-rower Tom Fenwick continued his exceptional form, while Mason Watson and five-eighth Atticus Sullivan stood tall in the face of the rampant Roosters.
Fenwick and Watson were further recognised sharing Players’ Player honours.
Valleys 42 defeated Wattles 14 (Mason Watson 2, Sam Gilmore tries; Mason Watson goal)
Toowoomba Rugby League Round 17
(Saturday 16th August)
Venue is Gilbert Oval, Goondiwindi.
Wattles Warriors vs. Goondiwindi Boars
Under 19, 2.15pm; Reserve Grade, 5pm; A Grade, 6.30pm.
- Glyn Rees
