By Glyn Rees
The Southern Downs is set to have at least one team in the Toowoomba Rugby League Reserve grand final with the Cowboys and Wattle set to battle it out this weekend in the preliminary final.
The winner will go into the grand final next week while the loser hangs up their boots for the season.
The minor premiers Cowboys, who remained undefeated until the final round of the home and away season, will go into the game on Sunday well rested after a week off.
While Wattles had to battle hard in their elimination semi-final at Warwick on Sunday against the Valleys Roosters.
The two teams were locked at 18-all at half time before Wattles snatched a nail biter result in the dying seconds to register a 24 – 20 victory.
Warriors coach Tony Morris lavished praise on his gallant green and gold squad of twenty, as they set up a next stage finals showdown with reserve grade minor premiers the Warwick Cowboys at Gatton’s Cahill Park on Sunday.
“It certainly went down to the wire in warm playing conditions, a tremendous effort by both teams,” he said.
Morris recognised the result as a reward for an outstanding team performance, with a wisp of brilliance by seasoned fullback Dale McAntee to touch down in the corner for his ninth season try with ten seconds on the match clock maintaining Wattles one step at a time grand final focus.
Warriors top grade premiership winner and long serving former Toowoomba Clydesdales representative back-rower Dale Perkins was one to set the example, along with team mates ever-dependable lock forward Nick Morris and hooker Jack Duggan.
The match lead shimmered both ways through the initial stanza, Valleys nippy halfback Harrison Burns nailing first points with a try in the opening minute.
Wattles answered the challenge through Jack Duggan minutes later.
Tries by second-rower Charles Pulsford and fullback Curtly Hammond saw the Roosters ease to a 16 – 6 advantage midway through the first half.
Wattles lifted a gear with centre pairing Lachlan Henry and Braydon Wilson snatching four-pointers in the space of six minutes with the break approaching, leveling the scoreboard ledger.
A Jaren Bender penalty goal with three minutes to play appeared to have shunted the Roosters to victory, at least until McAntee rained on their party with his rewarding skirt to the corner.
Wattles face 2024 premiership pace setters the Warwick Cowboys this weekend, amid Father’s Day celebrations and the first day of Spring.
Wattles 24 (Dale McAntee, Jack Duggan, Lachlan Henry, Braydon Wilson tries; Tom Morris 4 goals).
Valleys 20 (Harrison Burns, Charles Pulsford, Curtly Hammond tries; Jaren Bender 4 goals)
