Sport
11 September, 2025
Wattles to battle Brothers for grand final berth
The Wattles Warriors have another chance this coming Sunday against Brothers to make the Toowoomba Rugby League 2025 A Grade Grand Final after falling short against the undefeated reigning champions Gatton on the weekend.
Gatton Hawks will defend their 2024 premiership after they defeated Wattles 38-16 at Gatton Leagues Club on Sunday afternoon.
In front of a large crowd, the Hawks were under pressure in the first half when Wattles scored without Gatton having possession.
Warriors’ hooker Dan Taber scrambled over from dummy half (6-0).
As was the nature of the first half, each side swapped four pointers.
Brad Zampech broke through for Gatton in the 7th minute (6-4).
Wattles were playing the better football and were rewarded when Tom Hatch scored a determined try to get the Warriors to their biggest lead of the match 12-4.
But the Hawks struck back when Player of the match Tate Rhea scored to narrow the lead to 12-10.
Wattles still had momentum and were playing well.
Time and time again they pressured Hawks line.
Warriors’ winger Mitch Bourke capitalised on a Gatton mistake to get Wattles to a 16-10 lead after 21 minutes.
It was a flying start from both teams and the game settled down into a tight tussle.
Hawks Brad Zampech drew the game just before half time with a good try, leaving the scoreline 16-16 at the break.
The game in the second half started as it left the first half.
The brutal defence continued and Gatton seemed to lift.
But the turning point was when Tom Hatch went inches from scoring to get Wattles to the lead.
In the ensuring set of six, a Wattles fumble saw Hawks winger Cameron Bundock swoop to race away for a 95 metre try. (22-16).
It was déjà vu in the 59th minute went exactly the same thing happened, Cameron Bundock again swooped on a loose ball on his 95 metre line to again the length of the field to score (28-16).
On top of this, Wattles were reduced to 12 men for ten minutes after a tackle gone wrong.
Wattles cannot come back from this period and Hawks scored another two tries to win the match 38-16.
It was an amazing match with the Hawks defence ultimately spoiling Wattles going forward, especially in the second half.
Such was the nature of the game, players from both sides were worst for wear.
Wattles Connor Williams succumbed to a hamstring injury early.
Hawk Shannon Hicks spent only minutes on the field before receiving a huge cut after a head clash.
Gatton’s Travis Turnbull received a shoulder injury early in the game.
Winger Tyrell Woodley also left the game early.
Turnbull, whilst injured needed to return to the game as Gatton’s bench was bare.
Tom Hatch was Wattles best player with Captain Nick Van Der Poel and
Ty Gardner always prominent.
For Gatton, their 2024 Grand Final hero Cameron Bandock was very good as was Brad Zampech.
Joel Hughes was excellent in his patience after coming on for Turnbull early.
Wattles have players returning for next week’s preliminary final and are certainly not finished in this competition.
They now go on to play Brothers in next week’s preliminary final.
But it was Gatton’s day, not only to defend their Premiership but go through the season undefeated and put their stamp on the record books.
Gatton 38 (Brad Zampech 2, Cameron Bundock 2, Tate Rhea, Joel Hughes, Travis Turnbull tries Leonard Thomas 5 goals) defeated Wattles 16 ( Dan Taber, Tom Hatch, Mitch Bourke tries Tom Hatch 2 goals)
- Andrew O’Brien
Toowoomba Rugby League Preliminary Finals
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Sunday, September 14
11.30am Under 19 - Brothers vs Valleys
1.20pm Reserve Grade - Valleys vs Dalby
2.30pm A Grade - Wattles vs Brothers
Winners of the Preliminary Finals will advance to the TRL Grand Finals on Saturday, September 20.
