By Tania Phillips
The Warwick Cowboys will host a Toowoomba Rugby League Qualification final for the first time in the club’s history.
Club president Dane Barrett said was a little bit of history for the club who will host the games Father Ranger Oval in Warwick on Sunday afternoon.
The club’s A grade, who finished second on the ladder after leading until the second last round of the competition, will host Valley’s at 2.30pm, Valleys play Wattles in the reserves and will play Brothers in the Under 19s.
The Cowboys reserves, who were minor premiers and only lost their first game at the weekend, have the bye this week.
“This is great for the club and for the town,” he said of the home final.
“We are all so proud of what the boys have achieved so far.”
He urged local supporters to come along support the Cowboys as they shoot for the grand final.
The first grade side will look to return to the winners circle after losing three of their past four games including the weekend’s clash with defending TRL premiers Dalby in a tight 20-16 loss on Dalby on Saturday night.
Cowboys Coach Col Speed said the team was without several key players for the match which flowed down to the reserve grade side as well, who suffered their only loss of the season.
“Credit to Dalby they played well, we were good in the second half attack-wise, defensively we were a lot better than we have been, there was an improvement there,” he said.
“We were out enthused on the night which was a credit to them.
“And reserves had their first loss, A grade – I think we had five out and then we have to take players up so they were a bit short. The other thing is, when you’re on the top of the ladder and its Dalby’s home game, it’s a tough gig. To have 17 wins is an unbelievable season and they should be proud of that.”
He said the whole club should be proud of where they are as a club, their depth and strength this season.
“Our 19s went throughout the year without a forfeit, even in the last game which is a credit to everyone that’s been involved,” Speed said.
He said it was now on to the finals and the game against Valley’s on Sunday at Father Ranger Oval.
“We are pretty proud of hosting our first home semi-final,” Speed said.
“Valley’s (who had the bye this week) aren’t going to be easy, their last win was a good one against Dalby. They’ll be at full strength. They are a really good tough side and it will be a tough game.
“There strength is their spine and that’s based around Cory McGrady who is one of the most gifted halfbacks within the competition and with in the South East Region and you’ve got Dwayne Duncan, the other half back who has a very similar style but a more aggressive tougher 5/8 and then you’ve got Hughie Sedger. They’ve got plenty of strike power on their edges with Denzel Burns and their wingers Alex Hinch and Dylan Chow always capitalise on their chances.
“We’re going to have to play to the best of our ability and basically starve them of possession. That’s probably the key factor. And we basically need to win our own game within the first 20 minutes rather than let them into the game and let them dictate with their style of play.”
It’s a weakness that side have had – letting the other side in and then having to play catch up football.
“I think it’s a learning curve,” he said.
“Last week we did a review and it was a case of what we didn’t do really well and we took ownership and accountability and there was an improvement there. But there is no point in me going over that again. I’d rather highlight what we’ve been really successful at and stick to that. Let the boys know what we can do.”
Speed said they’d be pretty close to full strength for the game.
“The boys are pretty excited,” he said.
“One it’s been a massive year and it’s a very long season and they’ve backed up mentally and physically and now it’s the case of another chapter.”
SATURDAY 24 AUGUST – ELIMATION ROUND
Platz Oval, CLIFTON
3.30pm Under 19 Souths v Wattles
5:00pm Reserve Dalby v Gatton
6:30pm A Grade Wattles v Dalby
SUNDAY 25 AUGUST – QUALIFICATION ROUND
Father Ranger Oval, WARWICK
11.30am Under 19 Valleys v Brothers
1.00pm Reserve Valleys v Wattles
2.30pm A Grade Warwick v Valleys
