By Casey O'Connor
Warwick Cowboys ran in seven second half tries to come from behind and win their penultimate TRL home and away match against Oakey Bears 48-30 at the weekend.
And while some supporters may have been worried at half-time, after the game coach Matt Grew said he was not overly worried at the break.
“The Oakey boys were always going to come out strongly and we knew we would find it tough to match it with them early in the game,” he said.
“We needed to keep in touch and believe we could run them down in the second half.”
The Bears came out firing and the big pack dominated Warwick in the opening exchanges.
Oakey’s first try was tinged with controversy with Cowboys players and spectators seeing what appeared to many, apart from the officials, to be a good old-fashioned shepherd.
Warwick were their own worst enemy early in the game. Poor ball possession and a lack of discipline saw the Cowboys invite the Bears into their territory and points flowed the way of the Oakey Bears.
The scoreboard told the tale at 18-nil and the Cowboys supporters looked to have cause for concern midway through the half.
Coach Matt Grew injected Under 19’s Nic Carrie into the game in the first half.
Carrie had played a full game at half back in the earlier game and did not let the coach down.
Grew said Carrie who is signed with Ipswich comes back and plays with the Cowboys when he is available.
“He has played several ‘A’ Grade games this season and was good again for us on the weekend,” the coach said.
The Cowboys first points came just before half time. Winger Dustin Close proved too slippery and too quick for the Bears crossing in the corner for the home side’s first points.
The Cowboys have made a habit of coming from behind in recent games and after the half time break the tide turned in their favour.
With 29 minutes remaining on the clock the Cowboys levelled the score at 18-all.
While the whistle did not go their way, the Cowboys did a better job of containing the Bears in the second half. Their attack clicked into place and the tries flowed as the big Oakey pack began feeling the pinch.
Mitch Watson proved ‘Johnny on the Spot’ on two occasions, rewarded for his efforts chasing the play with a couple of cheeky tries.
His second try came after the Bears looked to be mounting a comeback drawing within a converted try of the home side.
Tyrelle Ross thrilled the big crowd on Ladies day running almost the length of the field to score his second try and put the game beyond the reach of the visitors who had two players sin binned late in the game.
Matt Grew was full of praise for half-back Wilson.
“Mitch does a power of work each week which often goes unnoticed,” he said.
“He gets the boys around the paddock well and either tops the tackle count or goes close each week,”
Cody Byrne came off the bench and had another excellent game. Harry Sullivan won the club’s best Best Forward award while Mitch Watson earned himself another club award for the Best Back.
The A Grade side has just one game remaining this season and it is a big one. According to their coach the only game in a season bigger than this would be a grand final derby appearance.
The Cowboys will be hoping to finish with a bang when they play Wattles. This Saturday night home game is more than just a local derby. It is Basil Nolan Memorial Day and Cowboys Old Boys. The teams will be playing for the Basil Nolan Trophy.
As Matt Grew weighs up his options for the 2023 season, he reflected on the performance of his team this year.
“Although we are going to finish in sixth or seventh position on the ladder it does not reflect the performance or ability of the 2022 side,” he said.
“We have only been beaten by the top teams and the games we have lost have, in the main, have been by only a couple of points.
“There is little between seven teams in the TRL A grade competition this year and the players, and their supporters should be proud of their achievements.”
Warwick Cowboys 48 (Tries:- Dustin Close (2); Tyrelle Ross (2); Mitchell Watson (2); Mitchell Wilson; Cody Byrne. Goals Nick Carrie 6) def Oakey Bears 30 (Tries Fruean Easthope; Samieula Cocker; Dylan Adamson; Kaleb Stanton (2). Goals Dylan Adamson 5)
It was another clean sweep for the Cowboys club with the Under 19’s winning 56-10 and the Reserve grade scoring another comprehensive 58-22 win.
While it will be season over for the A grade side, the Reserve Grade team is sitting in fourth place on the ladder and have earned a spot in the finals’ series.
A win this weekend could see the Under 19’s also sneak into the finals if results fall their way.
The A Grade players and coaching will be there to lend a hand to either side in the finals quest.
