Sport
1 August, 2025
Wattles end Oakey’s faint finals chances
A rampant Wattles Warriors outfit ran roughshod over the Oakey Bears on Sunday at Clifton’s Platz Oval, running in ten tries to two and ending Oakey’s last faint finals hopes.
Toowoomba Clydesdales representative centre three-quarter Matt Christensen had the ball on a string as he crossed for a quad of touchdowns in a result that further consolidates the Warriors’ hold on the second rung of the TRL first grade premiership ladder.
In chilly, breezy weather the three-match program was all Wattles’ way, with their Reserve Graders finishing 58 – 10 victors over the Bears.
Despite the A Grade end result, Oakey was holding a 6 – 4 lead at the 25-minute mark having capitalised on a Wattles’ error in the opening minutes of the game.
Former NRL half and Bears captain/coach Ashley Taylor scored to secure a 6 – 0 confidence building lead, before Wattles hit back in the eleventh minute with a Christensen touchdown.
It took the Warriors most of the initial 25 minutes to get their game in order, with the Bears often having them pinned in their half.
When hard running back-rower Jackson Shelswell ran off halfback Tom Hatch and found the try line, Wattles aimed up to race in another three tries, two by Christensen and another by winger Mitch Bourke on the way to a 26 – 6 lead at the break.
They were back in try scoring mode in the first minute after the restart when winger Will Jackson scooted twenty metres down the eastern side on the end of some quick hands.
The match was all but sealed by the 57th minute when Christensen scored his fourth, a gem of a try from thirty metres out, off a Tom Hatch long pass from the scrum base.
Tempers flared at stages throughout the second stanza with the sin bin in use for both sides.
The final fifteen minutes saw Wattles near scoring at will with hooker Jack Duggan, centre Connor Williams, and captain/lock Nick Van Der Poel all claiming four-pointers.
Oakey added to its total in the final minutes through a try by back-rower Marcus Spence.
Matthew Christensen was a constant threat with the ball, explosive in attack, while halfback Tommy Hatch and skipper Nick Van Der Poel were also among Wattles’ better performers.
Wattles had the benefit of the return of giant Western Clydesdales aligned front-rower Lopini Kioa, a welcome addition after completing a suspension.
The Bears have the bye and return on Saturday August 9th, hosting Dalby.
Wattles Warriors 52 (Matt Christensen 4, Jackson Shelswell, Mitch Bourke, Will Jackson, Jack Duggan, Nick Van Der Poel, Connor Williams tries; Dwayne Duncan 6 goals) defeated Oakey Bears 12 (Ashley Taylor, Marcus Spence tries; Tony Clevin 2 goals).
Reserve Grade
It was a similar story in reserve grade with Wattles thrashing Oakey Oakey 58 – 10, ten tries to two.
Wattles club captain Ty Gardner continued his sensational return from a lengthy injury outage, the former Clydesdales representative back-rower claiming a try hat trick.
Mr Jack of All Trades Will Hauser shone in Wattles’ three-quarter line, performing more than capably in yet another position in the line-up.
Front-rower Marley Tunstead impressed as did former A grade back-rower Jacob Leach, coming off the bench in an injury comeback.
Wattles Warriors 58 (Ty Gardner 3, Will Hauser, Zac Alberts, John Lazzaroni, Craig Mitchell, Dion Willett, Hamish Gartery, Koby De Luca tries; Koby De Luca 9 goals) defeated Oakey Bears 10 (Kristian Bond, Zacharie Benson tries Cameron Moodie goal)
- Glyn Rees
TRL Women’s Challenge
Oakey was due to play Highfields in a post-season re-match at Platz Oval, but the match was washed out.
The previous week, the Bear ladies ran riot smashing Souths 54-4 at The Den.
Katelyn Anderson ran in four tries in a dominant performance, while Caitlin Lingwoodock and Emmie Creevey scored doubles.
The TRL Women’s Challenge is an initiative to keep women playing footy post-season while the men’s competition continues.
