Sport
6 September, 2023
Wattles Reserves stumble in Grand Final race
A single point denied the minor premiership winning Wattles Warriors reserve grade team a ticket to the 2023 Toowoomba Rugby League Grand Final on Sunday at the John McDonald Sporting Complex after finishing behind the Valleys Roosters 12 – 13 in the qualifying semi-final.
It was a clash of the titans from the outset with Valleys now earning next weekend off as they prepare for the grand final on September 16th.
While the match could have swung either way across the seventy minutes of play, Valleys on their home turf were marginally the better side as the scoreboard showed at full time.
Both teams cashed in with two tries apiece, but it was a 62nd minute field goal by half-back Jaren Bender that was to usher the Roosters to victory.
Wattles’ coach Tony Morris praised his team, but some errors and missed opportunities cost them in the end.
Winger Warren Draper and relentless front-rower Aaron Scheid were in sensational form for the Warriors, as was half-back and play making general Michael Duggan.
Left winger Alex Morris was another to impress and nearly rescued the game for those in green and gold when he crossed in the corner only to be denied a try with doubt over the grounding of the ball.
Valleys posted on the scoreboard first with a 13th minute touchdown to slippery centre Harrison Burns.
Wattles replied five minutes later when five-eighth Josh Henry kicked to the corner when the ball was gathered by winger Alex Morris who chipped infield for second-rower and skipper Jordan Henry to score.
Full-back Joe Willett converted for Wattles to take the lead 6 – 4.
Valleys put the ball through many hands nine minutes before the break, resulting in a try by centre Anthony Paine, and a 10 – 6 advantage that the Roosters carried into half time.
In the opening minutes of the new half Joe Willett made his presence felt with a converted try to put the Warriors ahead 12 – 10.
The defence of both sides was fierce throughout, especially off their try line.
Wattles lost bench impact front-rower Harry Shooter in the 31st minute, and fellow bench bookend Eli Adamson six minutes before full time to injury in the rough and tumble.
A successful Valleys penalty goal levelled the scoreboard at 12 – 12 with sixteen minutes to play.
With Valleys adding the match winning field goal, the last eight minutes of play weren’t for the faint of heart with Wattles throwing all their ammunition at Valleys to try and snatch the game, but Valleys hung on to win.
Valleys 13 (Harrison Burns, Anthony Pain, tries Jaren Bender field goal, penalty goal and a goal) defeated Wattles 12 (Jordan Henry, Joe Willett tries Joe Willett 2 goals)
Wattles now venture into Round 3 of the 2023 TRL Finals Series playing the Dalby Diehards at Clive Berghofer Stadium on Sunday for a Grand Final birth.
- Glyn Rees
