Sport
4 July, 2025
‘Williams Try Delivers Warrior Win – Just”
Sunday’s Round 11 Toowoomba Rugby League clash at Father Ranger Oval lived up to every expectation of the rivalry of a Warwick Cowboys verses Wattles Warriors contest, the result not decided until the game’s final seconds when centre Connor Williams scored allowing the Warriors a heart trembling 32 – 30 victory.
It was certainly a game of two halves, with Wattles heading in at the break leading 28 – 10, before the Cowboys rallied across the second stanza to lead 30 – 28 with ten minutes to play.
As the match clock ticked down to the final minute, a Warwick victory appearing certain, a home side error from a scrum ten metres from the Cowboys tryline presented an opportunity for Wattles.
Player of the Match, Dwayne Duncan scooped up the loose ball and fired a pass to Williams who touched down to seal the match and two premiership points for Wattles.
The old saying ‘it’s never over until it’s over’ certainly rang out loudly, with Warwick looking near certain winners after a second half that had them dominating on the back of a four try to one touchdown haul.
Warwick coach Col Speed said he felt gutted his side lost as they did after their tremendous fight back.
Wattles coach Travis Burns was “happy with the win, we were very lucky to get away with it, but a win’s a win”.
The result pins Wattles in second place on the Hutchinson Builders A Grade ladder, as the competition turns in to the run home to the finals in August.
Win, lose or draw the Warriors would emerge from Sunday’s clash as combatants to run on against the undefeated Gatton Hawks in this Sunday’s mid-season highlight, the Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy final.
It will be the twelfth appearance by a Wattles team in the prestigious play-off since it was introduced in 1980, the Warriors boasting six wins, the last in 2019.
Warwick flexed early muscle in Sunday’s main game through a try by fullback Luke Pollock in the opening minutes to lead 6 – 0.
Wattles replied in force, running in tries by front-rower Cooper Tate-Roche, five-eight Dwayne Duncan, winger Will Jackson and centre Matthew Christensen to lead 22 – 6 by the thirty-minute mark.
Elusive Warwick back Nick Chapman showed his talents to score and keep the Cowboys in touch, before Wattles finisher Mitch Bourke eased in for a try in the shadow of half time.
The challenge for second half superiority was immense with Warwick getting a roll on and storming home, posting a second Pollock try, before four-pointers by lock Mitch Wilson, front-rower Daniel Conn and five-eight Nate Davis.
The second half loss of halfback Tommy Hatch to the sin bin did the Warriors no favours.
When all seemed lost for the Warriors, they capitalised on an opportunity to snatch their only points of the second stanza, the Williams match winner.
Both side’s ranks were reduced to twelve with Wattles’s prop Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard and Warwick front-rower Tom Bell sent off minutes from full time.
Wattles 32 (Cooper Tate-Roche, Dwayne Duncan, Will Jackson, Matthew Christensen, Mitch Bourke, Connor Williams tries; Dwayne Duncan 4 goals) defeated Warwick 30.
Reserve Grade - Wattles were no match for the Warwick reserve graders, who won 38 – 6, scoring seven tries to one.
The premiership leading Cowboys have booked a seat in Sunday’s President’s Cup showdown against Valleys.
Veteran lock forward and former Allora local Mick Bloomfield showed his special brand of courage throughout against Wattles and was awarded the prestigious ‘Peter Watt Memorial Medallion’ as player of the match.
Warwick 38 defeated Wattles 6 (Dion Willett try; Koby De Luca goal).
Under 19 - Coming off three successive losses before Sunday’s clash, Wattles side returned to the winner’s dais with a convincing 50 – 18 Under 19 local derby success.
The result has Wattles colts back on the fringe of the ladder top five.
The Cowboys were well in touch with their opponents at the break trailing 12 – 24, but a determined charge by Wattles in the second half saw them garner five tries to one.
Front-rower Thomas Fenwick continues his prime form of late, again Wattles outstanding player.
Wattles 50 (Jack Phelan 3, Hamish Gartery 2, Thomas Fenwick, Pat Malone, Atticus Sullivan, Mason Watson tries; Mason Watson 7 goals) defeated Warwick 18.
Mid-Season Finals Program Sunday 06-07-2025
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba
Presidents Cup Finals
9.00 am - Under 19 Brothers v Valleys
10.40 pm - Reserve Grade Warwick v Valleys
12.20 pm - BMD Western Clydesdales v Tweed Seagulls
2.00 pm - Toowoomba Sports Club Open Women Grand Final – Highfields v Oakey
3.35 pm - Hostplus Cup Western Clydesdales v Tweed Seagulls
5.35 pm - Madsen-Rassmussen Trophy - Gatton v Wattles
Toowoomba Rugby League fixtures resume with Round 12 on the 12 & 13 July.
- Glyn Rees
