Glyn Rees, Allora Advertiser
The excitement is building around Allora, Clifton and the Central Downs as rugby league devotees prepare for this Sunday’s pilgrimage to Toowoomba’s Clive Berghoffer Stadium to support the Wattles Warriors in their bid for 2022 Toowoomba Rugby League premiership glory.
After Sundays TRL Preliminary Final round Wattles ‘big dance’ opponents have been decided, the first-grade clash with Gatton after Wattles reggie’s take on Highfields.
For the first time since 1979 the Allora-Clifton Club will see their first and reserve grade teams run out on grand final day.
Alas it was a long trip home for the green and gold army after the top-grade Oakey Bears finished victorious 27 – 17, their goal kicking winger Warren Green shining in the result, father of current Warrior’s fullback Jackson Green.
All Whites (now Brothers) snatched the reserve grade honours 20 – 12.
Since the club’s first grade success of 2015 there hasn’t been a lot of movement in the Wattles trophy cabinet but for the occasional dusting, but Sunday evening could well see some additions.
The Wattles club has four First grade premierships to their credit since formation in 1966 (1970, 1997, 2014, 2015), Reserve Grade (1976, 1992), Third Grade (1992), Under 19 (1998), Under 18 (1976, 1977, 1991) and Under 16 when the age division was part of the senior competition (1968, 1974, 1975, 1977).
Preliminary Finals
Sunday’s TRL preliminary finals at Clive Berghofer Stadium finalised all combatants for this weekend’s Grand Finals that will see the curtain fall on the TRL’s 103rd season.
As we know Wattles were an interested party, both their First and Reserve Grade sides having already won their way through to the TRL’s blue ribbon day on the back of major semi-final wins over Gatton in both grades, 36 – 22 and 20 – 18 respectively.
Wattles teams both enjoyed a weekend break within their preparation.
First Grade – The Gatton Hawks survived a spirited second stanza fightback by the Highfi elds Eagles to book a ticket in Sunday’s season decider winning 42 – 38 in a high scoring encounter.
The Hawks led comfortably 28 – 18 at the break, but Highfields rose to the occasion to trail 36 – 38 with minutes remaining in what was eventually a nail-biting finish with only a try the difference at the full-time hooter.
Winger Ben Seul crossed in the dying stages for the Hawks to snatch the honours.
The win allows the Hawks their first appearance in a top-grade grand final since 2014 when they were defeated by Wattles 36 – 12.
Reserve Grade – The Highfields Eagles earned their ticket to Berghofer Stadium this Sunday through a dominant 40 – 4 victory over the Gatton Hawks.
The Eagles were out of the blocks early leading 12 – 0 after ten minutes, and were never headed after holding a 16 – 0 half time advantage.
They now take on Wattles for the reserve grade premiership honours to finalise a campaign that has seen both clubs engaged in a season long wrestle for dominance.
Wattles emerged minor premiers and the Hawks boasted a mid-season Presidents Cup success.
Currently the two clubs season ledger of two fixtures and a Presidents Cup leans the Hawks way 2 – 1, Wattles having claimed a 30 – 12 win in their last clash in Round 15.
In other Preliminary Final results played on Sunday Newtown 22 finished ahead of Goondiwindi 18 in the Open Women’s match, while in Under 19 Highfields 36 defeated the Warwick Cowboys 10.
Toowoomba Rugby League Presentations – Reserve grade half back Tom Morris was among Wattles identities to be recognised at Saturday evening’s 2022 Toowoomba Rugby League Presentation function at Clifford Park Race Course when presented with the O’Shea-McGovern Medal as the ‘Best & Fairest Reserve Grade Player’ for the season.
Reserve grade co-coach Garth Lonergan received the shield for Wattles 2022 Minor Premiership honours, while first grade centre Austin Jennings was named ‘Top Try Scorer’ with an amazing 33 fixture touchdowns.
Wattles players included in the ‘Team of the Year’ included Jackson Green, Matt Duggan, Travis Burns, Austin Jennings and Jordan Crocker.
This article appeared in the Allora Advertiser, 14 September 2022.
