By Andrew O’brien and Tania Phillips
The hardworking Warwick Cowboys have finished a heart-breaking eight points from a well-deserved Toowoomba Rugy League Reserve grade premiership, going down 28-20 to defending premiers Valley Roosters in Toowoomba on Saturday afternoon.
But in true Cowboys fashion this year, the Matt Williamson mentored team – unbeaten for almost all of the season went down fighting. They scored the final try of the match through Alifeleti (Freddie) Vite after being down 28-16 with eight minutes to go, but it wasn’t to be.
The team, a good mix of youth and experience, had claimed the minor premiership but fell just short of the double
In a tight first half, Valleys had a lot of the momentum and they led 10-4 with tries from Declan Buckley and Antonie Roma. Warwick’s Michael Marshall scored their first try.
Momentum changed to Warwick late in the first stanza and mainly due to Joey Wagner being introduced into the game. His side lifted when he scored to make it 8-10. Reserve Grade’s leading point scored kicked the conversion from the sideline to level the scores 10-all and we had a game on our hands.
However, Valleys finished off the half when winger Rex Koroi scored out wide to give the Roosters back the lead 14-10 at the break.
In the second half Valleys player of the match Harrison Burns scored two tries in the 40th and 62nd minutes in an inspirational performance.
Valleys were looking strong at the 40 minute mark leading 20-10 but, as they have all year, Warwick dug with Lance McGrady Dennison scoring out-wide for the Cowboys. Again, Matt Henry stepped up to kick the sideline conversion. 16-20 after 54 minutes.
Just two minutes later Anthony Pain scored out wide in an inspirational run. It was an important moment which created the largest margin in the match at that time 24-16.
Then with eight minutes remaining Burns scored his second try taking the score to 28-16 to all but sew up the match until big Fredie Vite grabbed his consolation try for Warwick in the last minute giving Valleys a 28-20 victory.
Burns and his halves partner Jaren Bender were superb for Valleys as was Joel Saffy. The Valleys front rower never stopped all day. Veteran Joe Mau was fantastic for his team especially in the first half. He proved very difficult to contain right throughout the match.
For Warwick half back Dan Howard was their best with Nick Pails and Fredie Vite trying hard all day. Captain Eamon Brownlie and Joey Wagner also played well.
But it was Valleys day winning their second premiership in a row and all credit to them after nail biting wins in weeks one and two of the finals. This premiership was thoroughly deserved.
Valleys 28 (Harrison Burns two, Declan Buckley, Antonie Roma, Uraia Koroi, Anthony Pain tries Jaren Bender two goals) defeated Warwick 20 (Michael Marshall, Joey Wagner, Lance McGrady Dennison, Fredie Vite tries Matthew Henry two goals).
Warwick Today, Stanthorpe Today’s Samantha Wantling was on-hand to cheer on the Cowboys and take plenty of pictures. Thank you to the Cowboy’s Helen Howard and Tracy Sullivan for supplying pictures this year and the TRL for their finals pictures.
