Glyn Rees, Allora Advertiser
Steady mizzling rain never muddied the Wattles Warriors challenge for the silverware honours of the 32nd Barrett Family Shield against the Warwick Cowboys at Clifton’s Platz Oval on Saturday evening, pulling up convincing 22 – 12 victors.
The hotly contested annual contest saw Stillwater Pastoral Company Warriors secure a 13th success with an outstanding performance to claim the Shield introduced back in 1993, trailing Warwick with 18 wins, the season 2000 yielding a draw.
Sadly, Saturday’s pre-season highlight was played under the cloud of the recent loss of Barrett family member and Shield stalwart Mr Leo Barrett.
Wattles coach Travis Burns was more than happy with his team’s performance in trying conditions against quality opponents.
“Full credit to all the lads in green and gold, everyone played will above average and deserved the result.”
Fullback Jackson Green hit the ground running in his Wattles return against the Cowboys, his first game since the club’s 2022 Grand Final win, and took out the Terry Doyle Memorial Medalion as the best and fairest player.
Wattles halves Brayden Paix and Western Clydesdales under 21-star Kai Duggan were instrumental in scheming the Cowboys downfall and while Green shone as Wattles ever solid last line, the green and gold defence was key to their victory.
Team skipper Ty Gardner led by example while hooker and Wattles newcomer Tom Hatch continues to impress.
While the Cowboys were certainly capable of success on the night, Coach Col Speed felt his team struggled with their attacking options and their completion rate in the second half.
“I couldn’t knock the lads for their effort in trying and commitment”. said Speed, “but we have some improving to do coming into the fixture season.”
Within minutes of the match commencing centre Morgan Byrne cruised in for a Cowboys try in the corner to snatch a 6 – 0 lead.
In typical Barrett Shield fashion, the pace was fierce, before Wattles returned serve with a touchdown in the 28th minute.
The ball was spread across field allowing slick winger Jake Meddleton an overlap to exploit touching down to have the Warriors trailing 4 – 6.
Minutes later quick thinking by centre Matt Christensen saw him dart from dummy half ten metres out to score and lift Wattles to a 10 – 6 lead by half time.
Wattles hooker Tom Hatch snatched a try minutes after the restart to claim a 16 – 6 advantage, the home side looking to take a firm hold on the contest.
Off a Cowboys error, it was that man Meddleton again who showed his speed flashing up the eastern sideline off a Matt Christensen pass to score and usher the Warriors to a 22 – 6 lead.
Warwick were far from finished though and a try by finisher Jake Speed ten metres from full time closed the score to 22 – 12 in favour of Wattles.
Wattles 22 (Jake Meddleton 2, Matt Christensen, Tom Hatch tries; Brayden Paix 3 goals) defeated Warwick 12 (Morgan Byrne, Jake Speed tries; Caleb Murphy 2 goals).
Reserve Grade – Warwick finished 12 – 6 winners as they slugged out a hard-fought victory over the Farm Spray Wattles Warriors.
The initial 35-minute first half saw a no points return with the scoreboard locked at 0 – 0 at half time.
The Cowboys ran in two touchdowns in the early stages of the second stanza to lead 10 – 0, before winger Alex Morris scored the Warriors lone try 22 minutes from full time.
A Warwick penalty goal in the 21st minute of the second half sealed the result.
Three-quarter Aiden Suhan was outstanding for Wattles, with forwards Tom Duggan, Tim Exelby, Tim Duggan and finisher Alex Morris all shining with very safe games.
Warwick 12 (Swithen Sakiki, Jeffrey Ross tries; Matthew Henry 2 goals) defeated Wattles 6 (Alex Morris try; Tom Morris goal).
Under 19 – The Black Toyota Warwick Wattles Colts struggled in a close fought tussle in the wet won 16 – 14 by Warwick.
In a tough initial match of the season forwards Toby Schwenke and George Nott along with centre Sam Gilmore led from the front in green and gold.
Both teams scored two tries apiece in the first stanza, Wattles touchdowns by Lachlan Peardon and Will Sheppard.
With the scoreboard locked at 10 – 10 at the break, Wattles error rate was taking its toll on opportunities.
The Warriors play an improved early in the second half and when winger Graham Hopper crossed for a try they took a 14 – 10 lead.
The Cowboys surged in the later stages, the victory sealed by a try by centre Carge Martin-Brown and a successful conversion by Sam Wainwright.
Warwick 16 (Matthew Watt, Harry Boal, Carge Martin-Brown tries; Sam Wainwright 2 goals) defeated Wattles 14 (Lachlan Peardon, Will Sheppard, Graham Hopper tries; Koby De Luca goal).
2024 Fixture Season – Wattles commence the 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League season fixtures on Sunday April 7th against the Oakey Bears at Platz Oval, Clifton.
This article appeared in the Allora Advertiser, 27 March 2024.
