By Casey O'Connor
Saturday night’s 22-14 loss to Wattles in the final Toowoomba Rugby League A grade regular season game of the year at Fr Ranger Oval was Matt Grew’s final as coach of the Cowboys – for now.
Three tries in the second half wrapped up the game for Wattles with the win also cementing second spot on the TRL ladder for them.
However, it was the end of the road for the home-side, who also look set to lose inspirational co-captain Michael Bloomfield.
Cowboys coach Matt Grew, who will step out of football next year due to family and business commitments, was philosophical after the final game of the season.
“I cannot fault the effort of this Cowboy’s team out there tonight or all season,” he said.
“They are a very young side. Probably the youngest in the TRL and they have tried their backsides off tonight and every game this season.
“The sides that have beaten us all year have been those sides at the top of the table and usually only by a few points.
“The boys should be proud of their efforts, and I hope the core group of this side sticks together because good things will come of it.”
Grew and wife Candice are expecting a child in February and the coach is planning to take at least a 12-month break from footy although expect to see him around the traps.
Next season will see another change with co-captain Michael Bloomfield confirming he has also played his last game after injuring his arm.
This time he says his retirement is for real.
“I’m the one who threw the boots in the bin,” the perennial Cowboys retiree said.
With the spot in the 2022 TRL finals gone, the Warwick Cowboys still had plenty to play for in their final game.
It was Old Boy’s Day/night and there were plenty of loose carries, magic passes and lots of reminiscing and tall tales being told in the Old Boy’s marquee.
Playing the local derby against Wattles always brings out the best in both clubs and the supporters come out in droves.
On Saturday night there was even more incentive with the teams playing for the Basil Nolan( Jnr) Shield in memory of the late Basil Nolan (Jnr), a former Cowboys player, strong supporter of the club who lost his life in an accident on the family’s property a couple of years ago.
Right from kick off this was a tough game, and no quarter was given. To the delight of the Old Boys and the Warwick supporters Warwick drew first blood when Dustin Close scored in the far corner.
Warwick struck back with a try to Michael Pearson.
Morgan Byrne also got his name on the Cowboys sheet with a nice try although the Wattles supporters were not as pleased calling for a No Try. Zac Stevens crossed for Wattles and in the first half – it was two tries apiece.
The score at the halftime break 12-8. The difference on the scoreboard two successful conversions.
Tyrelle Ross has been a try scoring machine this season and scored his mandatory try in the second half.
The difference on the scoreboard, two successful conversions.
Wattles were fighting to maintain second position on the TRL ladder and although they had several regular players out, threw everything at the Cowboys in the second half.
It was a real arm wrestle with both sides threatening to score at different stages while coaching staff from both sides paced the sideline.
Tyrelle Ross has been a try scoring machine this season and scored his obligatory end of season try in the second half and finally a successful conversion.
Tempers boiled over late in the second half and a scuffle erupted. The upshot saw Warwick player Cody Byrne sent to the sin bin for 10.
The news is better for the Cowboy’s Reggies who although beaten by Wattles on Saturday after holding an early lead maintain their fourth spot on the ladder. The Reggies will fly the Cowboy’s flag in the finals.
This weekend in round one of the finals the Cowboys Reserve grade play Valleys at Goondiwindi. Kick off in this game is 5pm.
The Cowboys Under 19 side scored a landslide 48-0 win on Saturday against Wattles and now face Valleys in a playoff for the last available spot in the finals. The 7pm play off was to be played at Platz Oval last night. Details of that game unfortunately are unavailable at the time of printing.
