By Glyn Rees
On the back of yet another sterling front-row effort by Cooper Tate-Roche the ‘Stillwater Pastoral Company’ Wattles Warriors A Grade line-up held off a determined Highfields Eagles challenge to win their Toowoomba Rugby League match 20 – 18 at Platz Oval on Sunday.
The top-grade success completed a three-match clean sweep for the home side who also snared the victory honours in Reserve Grade and Under 19.
Former Western Clydesdales regular Tate-Roche has been in superb form this season and on Sunday, along with fellow forward pack members team captain Ty Gardner and back-rower Jacob Leach, was a key performer in Wattles four try to three win over the Eagles.
Elusive centre Lachlan Watt continues to impress from anywhere in the backline, shining in what was his third match in green and gold.
Accomplished fullback Jackson Green made his presence felt as he returned to the Warriors line-up after a frustrating injury spell.
The less than full-strength Wattles outfit edged to a 10 – 6 halftime lead on their way to a hard-fought victory courtesy of a first stanza try double by wing finisher Joey Willett.
The result has Wattles level on fifteen competition points with the Valleys Roosters, both balanced on fourth rung of the Hutchinson Builders A Grade premiership ladder behind the Gatton Hawks and the top of the table undefeated Warwick Cowboys.
This week Coach Travis Burns will have his Warriors team focus solely on a follow up ‘must’ win this Saturday evening against the low on the ladder Oakey Bears at a forecasted very chilly Trevor Mickleborough Oval.
Wattles 20 (Joe Willett 2, Matt Christensen, Lachlan Watt tries; Brayden Paix 2 goals) defeated Highfields 18 (Ted Stuart, Joshua Quinlan, Reily Land tries; Cory Hayward 3 goals).
Reserve Grade.
McAntee Inspires Warriors Win
To end a week of family heartbreak after the passing of his father Mark McAntee, Wattles fullback Dale McAntee chipped in with two tries in a formidable performance in his side’s overwhelming 42 – 4 victory over the Highfields Eagles.
The ‘Farm Spray’ Warriors were relentless across the Platz Oval turf running in eight touchdowns to one by their opponents.
Experienced halves Tom Morris and Michael Duggan and outside backs Lachlan Henry and Marley Tunstead gave McAntee mighty support as mainstays of Wattles success, while forward pack enforcers Mitch Duff and Tim Exelby, along with back-rowers Tim Duggan, Garth Lonergan and Nick Morris provided plenty of go forward.
Man mountain finisher Aiden Suhan celebrated a return to the green and gold ranks with a try double.
In the team’s fifth consecutive win, Coach Tony Morris “can’t speak more highly of the player’s effort, Sunday was the best we have played all season.”
Morris’ Warrior outfit are now seated in clear third place on the Clive Berghofer Land Developments reserve grade premiership ladder on 15 points, challenging the Valleys Roosters and the undefeated Warwick Cowboys.
Wattles 42 (Dale McAntee 2, Aiden Suhan 2, Den Comerford, Tom Morris, Lachlan Henry, Brayden Wilson; Tom Morris 5 goals) defeated Highfields 4 (Chad Lebsanft try).
Under 19
Gartery Steers Wattles Colts to Success
The ‘Black Toyota – Warwick’ Wattles Under 19 Warriors bounced back to ascend the winner’s dais on Sunday when they accounted for the Highfield Eagles in a dominant performance 32 – 10.
Halfback Hamish Gartery made his case for player of the match honours with a first-rate effort across the seventy minutes, and ran in two tries as reward.
Gartery was supported by a forward pack of dominating ground gainers including George Nott and Lane Eastwell, while fullback Lachlan Clements, also a double touchdown achiever, was another to impress.
The win locks the Wattles Colts on to the tail end of the competition ladder top four behind the Dalby Diehards, Brothers Leprechauns and leaders the Valleys Roosters.
For Wattles it will be feet up enjoying a bye on Saturday, given the Oakey Bears are minus an Under 19 team in 2024.
They run on again at Glenholme Park on 6 July against premiership high flyers Brothers.
Wattles 32 (Hamish Gartery 2, Lachlan Clements 2, Sam Gilmore, Koby DeLuca, Bryce Stewart; Koby DeLuca 2 goals) defeated Highfields 10 (Joseph Coren, Shannan Elara tries; Brady Dodd goal).
