Sport
16 July, 2026
Wattles Dish Out Eight Try Mauling
The top-grade Wattles Warriors defeated the Valleys Roosters 40 - 22 on Sunday at Toowoomba’s John McDonald Sporting Complex to cruise into third place on the TRL Hutchinson Builders ‘A’ Grade premiership ladder.
The vital victory has the Warriors trailing the second placed Dalby Diehards on differential and the top of the ladder undefeated Warwick Cowboys.
Wattles dropped into gear from the early stages crossing for four touchdowns to one by half time to lead 22 – 4, before upping the momentum to cross for another four tries on the way to their convincing victory.
Gatton staged a gutsy second stanza fightback to go down 24 – 28 to the Diehards, the result robbing Wattles of a twelfth appearance in a Madsen-Rasmussen Final, and the opportunity to win the prized silverware a seventh
time.
Rampaging finisher Mitch Bourke used his back-rower build and speed to open Wattles scoring account after just four minutes of play against the Rooster.
Green and gold freight train Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard used his bulk to claim a try soon after, before touchdowns by classy three-quarter Jesse Yallop and forward leader Cooper Tate-Roche.
With their tails in the air Wattles turned to the second stanza with an 18-point advantage, before going on to seal the win and shutting out the game thanks to four-pointers by winger Mason Watson, a second by Bourke followed by workaholic co-captain, try hungry lock Nick Van Der Poel.
Watson underlined his class after a lengthy injury outage of some weeks when he crossed in the final minutes for Wattles eighth try.
Coach Burns will use the coming fortnight to right some injury concerns, and prepare his campaign for the coming five Premiership Rounds leading to the 2026 Finals Series.
Wattles 40 (Mitch Bourke 2, Mason Watson 2, Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, Jesse Yallop, Cooper Tate-Roche, Nick Van Der Poel tries; Manny Tuimavave-Gerrard 4 goals) defeated Valleys 22 (Daniel Bain, Sam Cocker, Martin Logan, Sala Falelua-Malio tries; Joshua Biscoe 3 goals).
Reserve Grade
Reserve Grade Warriors fell short of the Roosters total 24 – 10, four tries to two.
“The team started well but fell well short of requirements completing sets in the opening half, however they did well to stay in the game”
Back-rower Declan Sullivan along with threequarters Saviti Natago and Carlos Smith led from the front in ‘green & gold”.
The home side dug in to hold a 12 – 6 advantage at the break, but it was Wattles experienced hooker Zac Stevens who secured a try in the first minute of play.
Midway through the second half elusive centre Saviti Natago ran in a vital try to have Wattles trailing 12 – 10.
Alas, tries to Valley’s Josh Stanton and Bryce Whale in the later stages escorted the home side to victory.
Valleys 24 defeated Wattles 10 (Zac Stevens, Saviti Natago tries; Koby De Luca goal.
Under 19
A superbly presented Valleys Roosters colts outfit hit the ground running from the outset of he Under 19 clash claiming four tries to lead 16 – 6 over the Warrior colts at the break, and kick on winning 48 - 6.
Wattles nudged the scoreboard thanks to hooker Kuta Ackland with a touchdown in the eleventh minute.
The Roosters mood gained momentum with six more home side touchdowns eventuating over the final 35 minutes.
Sizing up the match result Coach Cameron Hamblin kept it simple, Valleys were “too good”.
Utility player Atticus Sullivan claimed ‘green and gold’ top honours and the players player award.
A skilled playmaker, Sullivan has been in a purple patch of form in recent weeks, rewarded last week with an ‘A’ Grade TRL fixture debut in Wattles success over Goondiwindi.
Skilled front rower Harry Bate also shone for the Warriors in the one-sided contest, along with hooker & Under 19 newcomer Carter O’Brien.
Valleys 48 defeated Wattles 6 (Kuta Ackland try; Billy Peardon goal).
Toowoomba Rugby League Round 12
Wattles next fixtures will see them meet the Highfields Eagles on July 26th at Platz Oval, Clifton.
- Glyn Rees
