Sport
17 May, 2024
Wattles Retain Ragh Family Trophy
In a Sunday of varying weather conditions and top-notch rugby league, the Wattles Warriors outgunned their formidable Southern Suburbs Tigers opponents two games to one at Platz Oval to retain the Ragh Family Trophy.
The prestigious award that celebrated its twentieth year since first being contested in 2005, was donated by the Ragh family who have volunteered such tremendous service to rugby league in the Killarney region, as well as to the Wattles and Southern Suburbs clubs over decades.
Awarded on results across the match day, this year the trophy coincided with the Southern Suburbs/Wattles TRL Round 6 clash.
Rain dampened the earlier stages of a day of celebrations for Wattles who hosted their annual Lady’s Day event that coincided with Mother’s Day.
The weather eventually changed for the better. and while those off field revelled in rewards recognising the amazing female support afforded the Wattles club, on field the Warriors added to the club’s trophy cabinet silverware.
In a very solemn moment for all in attendance, prior to the first-grade game, a tribute was presented followed by a minute’s silence recognising the late Mr Ted Cavanagh, a long serving Wattles club stalwart, former player, President, Vice President and a Life Member.
The home side Warriors finished on top of a sensational afternoon hoisting the Ragh Family Trophy after finishing with victories in Under 19 and A Grade.
Under 19 - Wattles Under 19 side claimed winning honours in a very closely fought tussle 26 – 24 with a Koby De Luca penalty goal proving the difference. Forwards George Nott and Mitch Ranger along with five-eight Lachlan Peardon led from the front for the Warrior colts.
Wattles 26 (Atticus Sullivan, Lane Eastwell, Rueben Sullivan, Lachy Peardon try; Koby De Luca 5 goals). Southern Suburbs 24.
Reserve Grade - Wattles reserve grade outfit may have held a marginal 18 - 12 half time lead, but it was Souths who finished the stronger to win 30 – 24 thus setting up a classic A Grade trophy final.
Cousins Ryan & Zac Stevens along with Tom Duggan impressed with their work rate in Wattles pack, while veteran fullback Dale McAntee and centre Lachlan Henry all excelled in a game that disappointingly slipped from the Warriors grasp.
Southern Suburbs 30 defeated Wattles 24 (Dale McAntee, Zac Stevens, Tim Hentschel, Jordon Henry tries; Tom Morris 4 goals)
A Grade - The trophy winning club was decided across eighty minutes of domination by Wattles A Graders, who ran in nine touchdowns as they built on a 24 – 6 half-time lead heading to a 42 – 16 winning result.
It was the eleventh Ragh Family Trophy success for the Warriors, the A Grade win also locking them on the fourth rung of the Toowoomba Rugby League premiership ladder.
It was a memorable day out for impressive Under 19 forward George Nott who took the field in the second half of the trophy decider making his A Grade debut.
Classy finisher Jacob Meddleton also enjoyed a match to remember running in a hat trick of tries, while team mates Mitch Bourke and Andrew Richardson pocketed try doubles.
Front-row book ends Cooper Tate-Roche and Alex Donn continued their high standard form of late paving the way forward for the ambitious Warriors.
Fullback Joe Willett was in sensational touch throughout, his defence, safety under the high ball and attacking play earning high praise from coach Travis Burns.
Willett’s fifteenth minute fifty metre evasive gallop through the opposition before popping an overhead pass to centre Andrew Richardson to sprint away and score was a highlight of the afternoon.
Wattles 42 (Jacob Meddleton 3, Andrew Richardson 2, Mitchell Bourke 2, Alex Donn, Ryan Duggan tries; Matt Duggan 2, Brayden Paix goals) defeated Southern Suburbs 16.
Round 7 - Wattles clash with the Newtown Lions at Toowoomba’s Jack Martin Centre next Sunday, May 19th.
Glyn Rees
