‘Wattles Snatch First Round Premiership Points’ Wattles gifted fullback Jackson Green showed his abundant class yesterday at Clive Berghofer Stadium scoring in the first minute of play to set the ‘Warriors’ on a course to victory over the Southern Suburb s ‘Tigers’ in the first round of the 2014 Toowoomba Rugby League season. A significant prize on offer was the Ragh Family Trophy, Southern Suburbs the recipients for 2014 given their success in two out of the three games played on the program. Coach Luke Duggan was thrilled with his Wattles side’s success, “we went down to Souths marginally in the pre-season, they will be about at the business end of the competition and to harvest first match premiership points against them is a real bonus”. “ Our back line in particular looked much more fluent” said Duggan, “but on the other side of the ledger we turned over to much cheap ball, 24 points against is to many”. Alas the win has come at a cost with Tim Henstchel suffering a hamstring injury. The Coach is being increasingly impressed with his younger brigade, “young guys Dylan Edneter & Conor Swinton were very impressive, as was front-row enforcer Pat Manley”. A Souths error from the kick-off saw halfback Matt Duggan gain possession and send Jackson Green on his way for the first points of the match. Minutes later experienced centre Tim Hentschel added to the Wattles total, capping off a classy backline move for Wattles to lead 10 – 0 after just five minutes. Wattles appeared on fire when hard working hooker Liam Ross scored from a dummy-half dart in the eighth minute, the ‘Warriors’ easing ahead on the scoreboard to lead 16 – 0. The ‘Tigers’ regained some composure through a try by their hooker Chris Richardson soon after, but ten minutes prior to halftime Wattles centre Joel Koina blazed down centre field for a length of the field touchdown. The ‘Tigers’ scored in the shadow of half time, Wattles going to the break leading 22 – 12. After just two minutes of the second stanza Souths increased their total to trail 18 – 22, and with the ‘Tigers’ finding their stride the match tempo had lifted. With sixteen minutes before full time the Duggan brothers Matt & Ryan combined to send Jackson Green over for his second try. It was an afternoon to remember for Ryan Duggan, two hours prior to kick-off he was at the side of wife Lisa for the birth of his second child. Souths countered late in the game to trail 24 – 28, and had Wattles under pressure in the final minutes before lock forward Aaron Scheid intercepted a Souths pass. With two premiership points from a “very pleasing performance”, Coach Duggan is now aiming up at a positive result against the Oakey ‘Bears’ next Sunday on home turf at Platz Oval. Wattles 28 (Jackson Green 2, Tim Hentschel, Joel Koina, Liam Ross tries; Matt Duggan 4 goals) defeated Southern Suburbs 24 (Adam Waters, Chris Richardson, Lauchlan Telford, Jake Laing tries; Ben Loxley 2, Sean Loxley 2 goals). Reserve Grade. After trailing 6 – 10 at half time in the reserve grade match, Wattles lifted to have the better of the second half but it wasn’t enough to snare victory. The Glen McMillan coached ‘Warriors’ snatched a 12 – 10 lead five minutes into the second half after a try by newcomer Luke Scheuerle who impressed in his first outing in green & gold. Leading 24 – 20 Wattles looked like pocketing the premiership points, until the ‘Tigers’ stole their thunder with a match winning try with less than two minutes remaining, Anthony Donaldson’s successful conversion denying a Wattles victory. Along with Scheuerle, halfback Michael Duggan & prop Jason Nightingale were among Wattles players to shine. Southern Suburbs 26 (Garry Jackson, Ryan Hughes, Jacob Paskins, Bryce Timms tries; Anthony Donaldson 3 goals) defeated Wattles 24 (Garth Lonergan, Luke Scheuerle, Alex Griffiths, Mark Duggan tries; Dale McAntee 4 goals). Under 18. After holding Southern Suburbs to an 18 all draw in the pre-season trial the ‘Tigers’ found another gear in the second half on Saturday to eventually post a convincing 40 – 20 win over Wattles. Five-eight Max Somes, Thallon enforcer Harry Fulwood and centre Harry Lloyd were among Wattles better performers against the strong Souths outfit. Souths posted first points in the twelth minute of the game, but Wattles returned fire when forwards Jake Christensen & Mitchell Duff teamed up to send Dalton Nielsen away to score, levelling the scoreboard at 6 all. Souths touched down on two more occasions to lead 16 – 6 at halftime, before rolling in another five tries on the road to victory. Max Somes contributed significantly to Wattles two second half tries, racing to the try line where halfback Tom Henry scored from the next play, Somes scoring himself in a classy individual effort, busting a tackle and skirting the sideline before touching down. Southern Suburbs 40 (Gus Elisaia 2, Slade Martin, Koro Benham, Isiah McLeod, & two others (not marked on match report) tries; Tony Clevins 6 goals) defeated Wattles 20 (Dalton Nielsen, Jacob Cavanagh, Max Somes, Tom Henry tries; Charlie parker 2 goals). Wattles take on the Oakey ‘Bears’ at Platz Oval next Sunday in their first home game of the 2014 season. Pic: Wattles reserve grade halfback Michael Duggan grapples with Souths defenders Jerome Waters (1), Anthony Donaldson (6) & Tim Mills (13).
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 02:55:09 +0000
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