The Gatton Hawks travelled to Toowoomba today in two grades to contest the qualifying final for the right to play in this year’s Grand Finals. After a minute’s silence for young cancer patient Cobie Taylor who passed away during the week was observed. Unbelievably, a rainbow settled and stayed there for most of the match. A GRADE Both teams started well with Wattles opening the scoring. Then Hawks half back Jason Wilmot put Steve Franciscus in beside the posts to make it 6 all Wattles are off side from the ensuring kick off. Again Hawks took the advantage and this time, Steve Franciscus set up Cameron Nicholls in the corner for the John OBrien Toyota Hawks to take the lead. 10-6 after 14 minutes after Jason Wilmot missed the sideline conversion. The first kick he has missed in about a month. Wattles leveled the scores 10 all and the game settled down until right on half time, Wattles scored a length of the field try from an intercept. Wattles 16 Gatton 10 at half time. Hawks Josh Mildren was sent to the sin bin for an indiscretion just after the start to the second half. It was the first of two sin bins in the second half with Aaron McVeigh sent later in the match. The Hawks defence started where it left off last week and was a credit to the team given they were playing the half with 12 men for 20 minutes. The game’s was anyone’s and Wattles decided on taking a penalty kick to get them 18-10 in front with 20 mins left. From the kick off, Wattles let the ball go into touch which gave Gatton the scrum feed and the Hawks scored in the right corner courtesy of Nick Boney. Jason Wilmot converted from the sideline and it was a “two point” ball game 18-16 to Wattles with 20 minutes left. Defence took over for the next 18 minutes with each team having their chances. In the end, the pressure of being that man down took its toll and Wattles scored to advance to their first Grand Final in a number of years. Dale Perkins, Mark Swan and Daniel Marsh never stopped for the Hawks. Steve Franciscus continued to annoy the opposition while Jason Wilmot played well under pressure. Wattles 24 (Jackson Green,Robbie Moore, Jamie Dodt, Mitch Konia, tries Matt Doggan 4 goals) defeated Gatton 16 ( Cameron Nicholls,Steve Franciscus, Nick Boney tries Jason Wilmot 2 goals) Reserve Grade Rocky’s Own Transport and defending premiers Gatton took the field with a strong side and they faced a formidable opponent in Oakey. Both teams sorted each other out and were 10 all after 20 minutes after tries from Wes Murray and Josh Belz The Reggies probably had most of the ball in the first half but found themselves behind on the scoreboard 16-14 at Half Time. The second half of footy was anyone’s. Hawks regained the lead when “man if the match” Allan Morris scored a well deserved try to make the score Gatton 20 Oakey 14. Then an emotional moment when Kayne Taylor scored for Gatton in the corner to put the game at Gatton 26 Oakey 16. This was with 25 minutes left and Gatton had a roll on. But some forgot to tell Oakey and they crawled their way back and with 5 minutes remaining they levelled the score at 26 all. The game went into extra time with the first team who scores advances to the Grand Final. The Hawks made some wonderful last ditch tackles. With 8 minutes into the extra time Brayden Woolacott beat his player on the blind side approximately 60 metres out. He scrabbled down the side and found Josh Belz in support who just got there carrying a Oakey player over the try line to win the game in a cliff hanger and let Reserve Grade enter its second Grand Final in a row. Allan Morris was outstanding. Bruce Milsom played very well with Halves Callum Woolacott and Garry Everuss kept the opposition guessing. Gatton 30 (Josh Belz 2,Jack Pender,Wes Murray,Allan Morris,Kayne Taylor tries Callum Woolacott 3 goals) defeated Oakey 26. Second Division Gatton started the game well leading 18 -6 after 20 minutes with tries to Alex Groves, Brendan Martin and Todd Godwin. Warwick weren’t to be out done scoring three quick tries just before half time to take the lead 22-18. Warwick continued their momentum and went to a lead of 30-18. The hawks dug deep with Todd Godwin and Will Mitchell lead the way for the Hawks but they just fell short in the end 34-30. A courageous effort by this “put together” side has performed very well over the year after starting the season poorly. Congratulations to Troy Huggins and his team on a wonderful effort throughout the year. Warwick 34 defeated Gatton 30 (Todd Godwin 2, Alex Groves, Brendan Martin, Kris Konnings, Will Mitchell tries Kris Konnings 4 goals)
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 09:24:00 +0000