Sport
26 April, 2024
Wattles Juniors Launch into New Season
Wattles junior Warriors played host to the Tenterfield Tigers at Platz Oval on Saturday, 20 April.
Under 6, 7, 8, 10 & 12 Warriors enjoyed the first Round of the 2024 Warwick & District Junior Rugby League Premiership with a bye given the Tigers club isn’t competing in these age groups this season.
Parents, club officials and players were all very happy though with the weather and standard of footy seen in all matches played.
Dalrymple Landscape Haulage Under 9 - Coach Shadai Daley rated her Under 9 team’s efforts highly in their initial season outing, “the boys put in a tremendous effort.”
The young Warriors ran in an impressive twelve tries to two by the Tigers, with James Patterson earning a Cracker Jack Chicken gift voucher as Player of the Match.
Wattles players can be very proud, “their defence was tighter with tackles by all the team members.”
Clifton Auto Ag Repairs Under 11 - Max Death starred in an outstanding effort by Wattles Under 11 side, receiving Man of the Match honours. Max’s performance included a fine second half try.
Harry Jones and James Mason lead from the front in the forwards with some impressive hit ups.
Rylee Boom’s effort in his initial experience at first receiver was very commendable, while Noah Schwenke’s tackling efforts was also a highlight,
Nutrien Harcourts Clifton Under 13 - The Tenterfield Tigers Under 13’s were no match for a dominant Wattles outfit who won 40 - 22 in their fixture season opener.
All In Electrical Under 15 Girls League Tag - According to coach George Berry, “the Under 15 girls first fixture game against Tenterfield was always going to be a challenge, and unfortunately we made it harder than it should have been.”
Enthusiasm was lacking in defence giving Tenterfield plenty of room to move, and they made Wattles pay a hefty price.
“This is definitely something we will work on going forward” said the coach, “when we have the ball in our hands, we look promising, and our kick chase has improved from previous weeks.”
Teeah Davis, Mia Berry, Olivia Brady and Roxy Williams all tried hard in the middle, while Zoey Sweet, Tori Sweet and Lily Hinz played well in the backs.
Highlights of the game included an intercept by Tori Sweet and our only try by Mia Berry.
Drayton Medical Centre Under 14/15 - Despite snatching the premiership points with a 42 – 28 victory over Tenterfield, Wattles Under 15 line-up became aware on Saturday they won’t have it all their own way this season, despite strong showings in the pre-season trials.
“We still need to work on our combinations in our halves, and our forwards need to help each other out a bit more” said coach Glen McMillan.
The Under 15’s still managing to hold on for the win was certainly pleasing, “but as a whole we will look for improvement at our next game.”
Joe Llewellyn was impressive in the second stanza with some strong runs, while Ben Rauchle and Archer Steinhardt posted good performances.
Hamblin Building Under 17 - While Wattles Under 17’s claimed a 28 – 10 win over the Tigers in their initial season fixture, it was a very scrappy game according to coach Matt Christensen.
The first half saw the Warriors up 12 - 0 despite a high error rate.
The second stanza however was different story, Wattles more focused on completing their sets.
Billy Peardon was the best on the field, “his control and kicking game led us to the win.”
Try scorers for Wattles were Atticus Sullivan (2), Oliver Cooper, Billy Peardon and Charlie Spina, with Ben Barbierato successful with two goals.
Club Hotel, Clifton Under 18 Girls - Wattles Under 18 girls tackle side came up against a polished Tenterfield Tigers outfit, losing on a wet Platz Oval 46 – 16.
A highlight of the game for the home side was a nineteenth minute charging run by Jessica Bateman who off loaded over head to Alex Gilmore to score a vital try.
Considering the playing conditions and the calibre of opposition, the young Wattles ladies put together an impressive effort.
Round 2 - at home again this Saturday when they host the MIT Jets (Millmerran-Inglewood-Texas) at Platz Oval.
- Glyn Rees
