Sport
26 April, 2023
Wattles Reggies Continue Winning Run
Try doubles by backline stars Brayden Wilson and Joe Willett were a driving force behind the ‘Tony Morris Tiling’ Wattles Warriors reserve grade side overwhelming the Warwick Cowboys 26 – 6 at Father Ranger Oval on Saturday.
Despite the absence of injured team skipper and inform front-rower Jordan Henry, coach Tony Morris felt the game was always well within his Warriors grasp.
Morris’ forward pack paved the way while his backs to lead the home side 16 – 0 at halftime.
The experience of Garth Lonergan is a more than supportive pillar while Jack Duggan, Tim Duggan, Ryan Lewis and Jessy Hammermeister were among the above average toilers in the pack.
Powerful centre Brayden Wilson crossed for two tries prior to the break.
Fullback Joe Willett was in superb touch as Wattles last line. He supported Wilson to claim Wattles second try after 13 minutes contributing to a 10 – 0 lead.
Willett put all his skills on the table and saw him among Wattles best.
Centre Tim Hentschel was another to shine and after a sterling start to the season the Warriors stalwart eased to TRL reserve grade premiership top try scorer honours with five touchdowns from three games.
On Saturday Hentschel’s try came nine minutes before full time and closed the game out despite a try to Warwick front-row captain coach Sam Williamson after half time.
The result in front of a packed crowd for the Basil Nolan Jnr Memorial Shield contested in A Grade, has Wattles clear leaders on the TRL Clive Berghofer Land Sales reserve grade premiership ladder after three outings.
Wattles 26 (Brayden Wilson 2, Joe Willett 2, Tim Hentschel tries; Joe Willett 3 goals) defeated Warwick 6.
Suhan Guides Warriors to Under 19 Success - The Wattles ‘Black Toyota, Warwick’ big men along with a powerhouse display by giant centre Aiden Suhan ushered in a second new season victory for the Warriors.
The Warriors Under 19 finished on Saturday night as 22 – 14 victors.
Coach Cameron Hamblin was happy with the result, but is confident his team can lift to another level.
“We were short a few troops, and we need to focus on the simple aspects of the game, but our forwards are to be recognised for their consistency.”
Suhan, who has joined Wattles after relocating from Charleville, is a devastating addition to the Warriors backline at 102 kg and 190 cm.
Hooker Lachlan Hearn snared two valuable touchdowns, while Reuben Sullivan, Sam Gilmore, Lane Eastwell and Harry Schwenke were all among the workhorses in the pack.
The scoreboard read 10 all at half time with Wattles points coming from tries by Hearn and Schwenke, who ran off an Eastwell bust and off load.
Halfback Harry Fry touched down in the initial minute of the second half with Hearn crossing again three minutes from full time.
Wattles 22 (Lachlan Hearn 2, Harry Schwenke, Harry Fry tries; Aiden Suhan 2, Judd Rei goals) defeated Warwick 10.
Warriors Denied Premier-ship Points & Silverware - Courageous fullback Matthew Christensen was a bright light in the ‘Stillwater Pastoral Company’ top grade Warriors’ disappointing 22 – 12 loss to the Warwick Cowboys.
The Cowboys success saw them regain the prestigious Basil Nolan Jnr Memorial Shield won last year by Wattles.
It only took until the sixth minute for Wattles to collect a classy try, it’s beginning from a kick by five-eight Tom Morris, chased down by half back Brayden Paix who offloaded to team skipper and back rower Ty Gardner at the try line to score.
The Warriors clung to their 6 – 0 lead until the 22-minute mark when Cowboys fullback sensation Nick Chapman scored.
Warwick hit back in force touching down on three occasions including the Chapman effort to lead 14 – 6 eight minutes prior to half time.
Hooker Zac Stevens crossed from dummy-half to have Wattles trailing 12 – 14, but Warwick responded to lead 18 – 12 at half time.
Despite some spirited advice at the break from coach Travis Burns, his Warriors were unable to bother the scoreboard attendant in the second half.
Both sides gave no quarter in the final forty minutes, but a try midway through the half saw the Cowboys take their winning 22 – 12 lead.
Warwick 22 defeated Wattles 12 (Ty Gardner, Zac Stevens tries; Brayden Paix 2 goals).
Christensen in Clydesdales - The Toowoomba Rugby League goes into representative recess this weekend as the Toowoomba Clydesdales head to Emerald for the annual QRL Central Division Championships, the 47th Battalion Trophy Carnival.
Wattles fullback Matt Christensen is the sole green and gold rep in the 2023 Clydesdales squad.
The Warriors next take the field on Sunday May 7th at Platz Oval for TRL Round 4 fixtures against the Pittsworth Danes.
- Glyn Rees
