Sport
17 July, 2025
Wattles Dominate in Ragh Trophy Win
It was a case of ‘back to their best’ for the Travis Burns mentored Wattles Warriors on Saturday evening at Toowoomba’s more than chilly Gold Park.
The Warriors completed a clinical 42 – 18 success over the Southern Suburbs Tigers to collect valuable premiership points and contribute to retaining the prestigious annually contested Ragh Family Trophy.
In what was the Toowoomba Rugby League Indigenous Round, Wattles ran on in specially made jerseys designed in tremendous fashion by first grade team fullback Alex Hinch.
The trophy, that celebrated its twentieth year since first being contested in 2005, was donated by the Ragh family who have volunteered such tremendous service to rugby league in the Killarney region, as well as to the Wattles and Southern Suburbs clubs over many years.
With the esteemed award decided on results of all three games, the A Grade contest took on a grand final feel given Southern Suburbs scooped a win in the Under 19 clash and Wattles dominated to earn the reserve grade honours.
While the presentation of the Ragh Family Trophy to Wattles courageous skipper Nick Van Der Poel by Mr David Ragh was a match highlight for the Wattles fraternity, so was the first-grade debut of 19-year-old three-quarter Mason Watson.
A former Valleys Roosters junior, Watson has been in outstanding form since linking with Wattles Under 19 line-up this season, and had certainly earned the opportunity in top grade company according to coach Travis Burns.
Tommy Hatch posted another superb performance in Wattles halves combining with five-eight Dwayne Duncan.
His consistent form across the season is key to Wattles holding second place on the Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba Rugby League premiership ladder.
While the Warriors may still have been feeling somewhat sore and sorry after their Madsen-Rassmussen Trophy loss to the Gatton Hawks the previous Sunday, they cut through the frosty Gold Park weather to register a masterclass performance overwhelming the Tigers running in nine tries to three.
The forward pack engine room made the necessary inroads to set the Warriors in motion regularly, and Clydesdales representative front row bookend Cooper Tate-Roche certainly led by example.
A very pleasant surprise for Wattles fans was the appearance of renowned half Matt Duggan, taking the field just prior to half time for the first time this season.
After tries by winger Will Jackson, half Tom Hatch and five eight Dwayne Duncan Wattles cruised in at half time ahead 18 – 6, the Tigers lone touchdown scored by busy backrower Riley Wilson.
The final forty minutes favoured the Warriors on their way to a convincing victory, halves Hatch and Duncan repeating their first stanza exploits with touchdowns, Duncan snatching a double.
Free running front-rowers Tate-Roche and Ryan Kelly-Payne collected a four-pointer apiece, with prolific try-scoring centre Matthew Christensen crossing in the later stages to close out the match.
Southern Suburbs lock Matthew Simpkin and accomplished representative halfback Haydan Lipp added tries to the home side’s second half total.
Wattles 42 (Dwayne Duncan 3, Tom Hatch 2, Will Jackson, Cooper Tate-Roche, Ryan Kelly-Payne, Matthew Christensen tries; Dwayne Duncan 3 tries) defeated Southern Suburbs 18 (Riley Wilson, Matthew Simpkin, Haydan Lipp tries; Haydan Lipp 3 goals).
Reserve Grade
Wattles winning result over Southern Suburbs had Reserve Grade coach Will Manly beaming with pride, his Warriors running in seven tries to four by the home side.
Manley’s troops took a grip on the game over the opening stanza to lead 18 - 4 at the break, before kicking on to their 42 – 20 victory.
The Tigers mounted a fightback in the second half, but despite being down to twelve men in the later stages, Wattles managed two further tries to add to their winning total.
Wattles supporters we more than encouraged to see club captain Ty Gardner take the field after a long-term knee injury recovery, joining quicksilver centre Austin Jennings who is in his second match back, also after a serious knee issue.
Gardner shone with an outstanding performance including a try double, as did hard working forward Harry Schwenke, with fullback Jake Meddleton winning Player’s Player honours.
Wattles 42 (Ty Gardner 2, Austin Jennings, Jake Meddleton, Zac Alberts, Craig Mitchell, Carlos Smith tries; Koby De Luca 7 goals) defeated Southern Suburbs 20.
Under 19
Wattles Under 19 outfit were left to lament the one that got away after their slim 26 – 28 loss to Southern Suburbs, in a game where both teams crossed for five tries apiece.
In a close tussle throughout Wattles led 16 – 12 at the break, thanks to tries by centre Hamish Gartery and back-rowers Paddy Fitzgerald and Charlie Spina.
The difference between the two teams eventually being a penalty goal to home side fullback Tait Camereon.
Rampaging front rowers Thomas Fenwick and Seb Hepner continued their tremendous form of late, Fenwick also named as Player’s Player, while halfback Billy Peardon was another to shine in green and gold.
Southern Suburbs 28 defeated Wattles 26 (Hamish Gartery, Patrick Fitzgerald, Charlie Spina, Mason Watson, Billy Peardon tries; Mason Watson 3 goals).
Toowoomba Rugby League Round 13
Wattles have a break in Round 13 enjoying a Bye Round, next running on in Round 14 at Platz Oval, Clifton against the Oakey Bears (First and Reserve Grades) and South Burnett (Under 19) on Sunday 27th July.
- Glyn Rees
