Sport
9 May, 2025
Wattles proudly hoist Jack Duggan-Gary Sutton Shield
On the back of five-star performances by front-rower Cooper Tate-Roche and team captain and centre Nick Van Der Poel, the Wattles Warriors A Grade outfit posted a convincing 28 – 18 victory over the Pittsworth Danes at Clifton’s Platz Oval on Sunday to claim their initial outright Jack Duggan-Gary Sutton Shield victory.
The contest for the coveted Shield promotes significant emotions for the Wattles club, named in honour of the late Jack Duggan, a Wattles club Life Member and former player, Club Patron and President.
Former Pittsworth Danes champion forward, long serving club committee member and Life Member Gary Sutton’s name also adorns the Shield that has been in existence for three years.
Wattles had yet to house the award in their trophy cabinet as sole winners, the Danes achieving the honours in the Shield’s inaugural year of 2023 and both teams playing out an 18-all draw last year.
Forward enforcer Cooper Tate-Roche was rewarded for an inspiring performance with the John Bermingham-Jamie Johnston Memorial Medallion as player of the match.
The honours were shared around the Wattles squad with team skipper Nick Van Der Poel judged the Toowoomba Rugby League’s Hutchies Man of the Match after setting a rousing example for his troops.
Van Der Poel is revelling in the responsibility of team leadership and has been one of Wattles’ most consistent players to date in the 2025 season.
Wattles five-eighth Tom Morris scored the opening try of the game in the early stages before Pittsworth stepped up the pace to lead 12 – 6 with half time looming.
A smart dummy half try by green and gold interchange forward Jack Duggan levelled the match ledger 12 – 12 to head to the break.
Wattles regrouped for the second stanza putting their neglected game plan into action to dominate the final forty minutes.
Tate-Roche crossed to open Wattles’ second half scoring account, followed up by a touchdown by winger Mitch Bourke to have the Warriors ahead 22 – 12 with twenty minutes remaining on the match clock.
Danes back rower Liam Short kept his side in the game with a try 21 minutes into the second stanza to trail 18 - 22, but when winger Tom Ramsay scooted away to score in the corner late in the contest after some handy lead up by Van Der Poel, Wattles shut the game out and cruised to victory.
Coach Travis Burns recognised Wattles flat first half in a very tough game against a more than capable Pittsworth line-up.
“We didn’t turn up in the first half” said Burns, “and crucial errors at crucial times certainly affected our performance.”
“It was an ugly win, but we nailed the premiership points and remain undefeated in our initial four 2025 season fixtures.”
Wattles have a number of new faces on their player roster, and so familiarity is still growing, while the absence of class centre Connor Williams and five-eight Dwayne Duncan against the Danes due to judiciary suspensions certainly affected performance.
A particular new face was up and coming forward Sebastion Hepner who debuted in first grade off the bench against the Danes.
The stand out performer in Wattles Under 19 lineup up impressed Coach Burns with is twenty minutes in the middle.
While the top-grade Warriors may be riding high in the season’s early stages for four wins from as many outings, next Saturday evening’s Toowoomba Rugby League Round 5 clash with the Gatton Hawks at Cahill Park in the Lockyer Valley will be a fierce test for both sides.
The Hawks and the Warriors will both run on undefeated, in what can be considered the top-rated match of the competition round.
Wattles 28 (Tom Morris, Jack Duggan, Cooper Tate-Roche, Mitch Bourke, Tom Ramsay tries; Tom Hatch 3 goals) defeated Pittsworth 18 (Thomas O’Sullivan, Harrison Cooke, Liam Short tries; Jordan O’Shea 3 goals).
Reserve Grade
Wattles reserve Grade coach Will Manley couldn’t have been happier with the effort of his team as they built on a 14 – 6 half time led to eventually overwhelm Pittsworth 32 – 12.
Manley had some challenges though with a shortfall of troops that saw some Under 19 players proving their ability as they ascended to senior grade ranks.
There were plenty of Under 19 player available given the Pittsworth forfeit.
Under 19 qualified winger Sunnie Tunstead snatched a try and along with man mountain front-rower Mitch Duff shared ‘Player’s Player’ honours.
Try double scorer five-eight Zac Alberts claimed Wattles top player honours while fullback Lachy Clements also shone with a solid outing.
Wattles 32 (Zac Alberts 2, Lachlan Clements, Sunnie Tunstead, Jake Ranger, Kihan Marshall, Michael Marshall tries; Dion Willett, Michael Marshall goals) defeated Pittsworth 12 (Clay Dempsey, Ryan Cattarin tries; Jake Johnston 2 goals).
Under 19
Wattles defeated Pittsworth on forfeit.
(No match played)
Next Round
Toowoomba Rugby League Round 5, Saturday 10 May, Cahill Park, Gatton
Wattles Warriors v Gatton Hawks
First Grade – 6.30 pm, Reserve Grade – 5.00 pm,
Under 19 – 3.30 pm
Open Women: Gatton Hawks v Brothers Leprechauns – 1.00 pm.
- Glyn Rees
