Sport
14 March, 2024
Wattles Under 18 Girls Create History while Juniors excel
It was a history making day for the Wattles Warriors Junior Rugby League Club last Saturday at Platz Oval, with the Club Hotel, Clifton Under 18 ladies taking on the Tenterfield Tigerettes in Wattles’ debut female tackle match.
Many of the young ladies have come through the junior ranks gaining plenty of experience playing girls league tag, but the new Under 18 grade will now engage in full tackle competition in this year’s Warwick & District Junior Rugby League premiership.
While the full-time score had Tenterfield 38 – 8 winners, Wattles coach Bill Gorringe handed out plenty of praise, “all of our girls played a great game considering this is their first rugby league tackle match, they all played well.”
The Wattles team to run on in the historic match was Amara Clements, Charlee Murdoch, Hollie Betts, Minnie Shepard-Picton, Billie Gorringe, Jessica Batemann, Matilda Baty and Chelsea Bargh. Minnie Shepard-Picton crossed to claim Wattles two tries.
Last Saturday’s program saw Wattles up against Tenterfield in Under 7, 9, 11, 13, 14/15, 17 and Under 15 Girls League Tag.
Wattles Willett Electrical Under 7 side were in fine form against the junior Tigers according to coach Ross Williams.
In a display of exceptional sportsmanship, three of the Wattles squad in Kaiden Williams, Axel Schluter and Chase Johnstone all stepped forward to pull on an opposition jersey to help out with low numbers.
“All players displayed a huge improvement in both attack and defence and have started to really play as a team in what is their second outing for the new season” said coach Williams.
Tries in the match went to Kaiden Williams, Charlie Judd, Olivia Mullen, Oliver Dore, Arlo Cayley with Axel Schluter displaying a fantastic try assisting pass to Chase Johnstone.
The Shadai Daley coached Dalrymple Landscape Haulage Wattles Under 9 line up has been working very successfully on field placement of late, and impressed with their field position and excellent team decisions against the opposition Tigers.
Wattles try scorers included Jackson Wilson with a mighty 4 touchdowns, try doubles by Chaz Daley and Oliver Willet, with Henry Ferguson & James Patterson also scoring.
The Nutrien Harcourts Clifton Wattles Under 13 fell short on the scoreboard against the Tigers 16 – 18 in a what was described as an absolute nailbiter by co-coach Rylan Saville.
Jade Bailey crossed for two tries, team mate Jake Burns also bagging a vital touchdown. Jed Hinz and Jake Burns were both on target with a goal each.
“The entire team played really well and can be proud of their efforts” said co-coach Saville.
In an exciting finish it was halfback Burns who scored with three minutes on the ground clock allowing wattles a two-point lead.
But Tenterfield were far from done scoring as the full-time siren sounded to snatch the game.
The All In Electrical Under 15 girls League Tag team played very well according to stand in coach Bill Gorringe, considering some have not played previously.
“They listened attentively to instructions” said the coach, “and the few girls with playing experience guided their younger team mates in game skills and tactics.”
Although Wattles finished behind Tenterfield come full time, “they can take many positives from their performance and build improvement.
Coach Glen McMillan rated his Drayton Medical Centre Wattles Under 15 line up highly after they dispatched a determined Tenterfield outfit 36 – 12.
“The score line hasn’t done the Tigers justice given their performance; the Warriors had to buckle down to achieve supremacy” said Coach McMillan.
Livewires Orry Gilmore and Jack Burton with Jack crossing for three tries.
Coach Matthew Christensen was more than happy with his Hamblin Building Warriors Under 17 team’s overwhelming 42 – 20 walloping of the senior grade Tenterfield Tigers.
Coach Christensen, Wattles senior club A Grade star three quarter is in his initial year as a junior club start and he and his charges are away to an impressive start.
The Warriors posted seven tries through Ben Barbierato, Jaymin Spina, Charlie Spina, Jack Phelan, Tyson Saville, Patrick Denny and Oliver Cooper, while Ben Barbierato was well on target with seven goals from seven attempts.
Jaymin Spina was Wattles shining light, unmatched by anyone on the field while Corey Gascoyne was very solid in the middle in both attack and defence, including multiple 20+ metre runs throughout the game.
Wattles juniors are back in action this Saturday at Platz Oval up against the Stanthorpe Gremlins in what will be a cracker of a day of rugby league.
- Glyn Rees
