Warwick Cowboys halfback Caleb Murphy has steered his side to victory over Highfield in their round 13 Toowoomba Rugby League Hutchinson Builders A Grade clash at Kuhls Road Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Murphy kicked eight from eight as the undefeated Cowboys put on eight tries to one, to beat the home team 48-6.
Coach Col Speed said Murphy had been kicking well this season but this was probably his best performance of the season and the first time his conversion rate was 100 per cent.
The Indigenous round also proved a big afternoon and family affair for indigenous player and fullback Josh Robinson who was presented with his jersey by his dad Andrew before the game. He capped off the day by scoring his side’s fifth try.
“The boys did really well, it was the Indigenous round so we proudly brought in Andrew Robinson, Josh Robinson’s dad, who was a bit of a legend of football in his time,” Speed said.
“He presented the boys with their jerseys, it was a bit of a surprise for Josh to have his dad present the jerseys which was great.
“Young Daniel Howard made his debut for us. He’s been playing some great footy in reserve grade so he got an opportunity to play in the halves and he was outstanding. It was a credit to the boys, there were a fair few disruptions pregame as well with the presentation, the ceremony and to turn up on a pretty bleak day. It’s always a pretty hard road trip to Highfield. So, to get away with a 48-6 win is a credit to them.”
He said it was a good start from the reworked team, who were without several key players, despite conceding the first try.
“The try that they scored against us was off a kick that was in behind our winger which was something that we weren’t really happy with but then they learned from that and got better as the time went on,” he said.
“The other thing you have to consider is that we had four A graders unavailable as well, which makes it all the more outstanding in regards to the effort they put in. The other thing I didn’t realise until I didn’t realise until after was young Caleb Murphy slotted eight from eight goal kicking.
“So, a hundred percent record there. Sometimes we take that for granted his goal kicking ability. He’s always reminded at training by the manager where he’s at – whether he’s at 70 percent, 80 percent but on the weekend he was at a hundred percent which is a credit to him. He does a lot of work, it’s a credit to him. He’s only a young fella, which is good.”
Speed said there were now five games left before the finals with the side playing all of the teams directly below them on the ladder.
“We have the 47th Battalion representative game this weekend so everyone has a bye this weekend and then we play Souths at home which is our next game,” he said.
“I’m not sure what order it is but we have Souths, Wattles, Gatton, Valley’s and Dalby. Everyone just below us on the ladder, we’re three points clear but we’re still setting some milestones and goals within ourselves. The for and against – our against is improving each week which is good.”
Speed said he was happy to have a had run home with every team they play inline to feature in the finals.
“I like it because basically we’ve looked at the way we performed last year and some times we lowered our standards to the team we were playing against,” he said.
“This year we’ve been consistent in that area, making sure that even when we’re playing away from home that we still set the same benchmark for what we want to achieve in the game.
“I like the tough run, it will be good.”
Warwick 48: Jake Speed, Hayden Ensbey, Tom Bell, Pat Conn, Josh Robinson, Morgan Byrne, Joe Vite, Mitch Wilson, tries. Caleb Murphy 8 goals.
Highlands 6: Luke Cesari try, Cory Haywood goal).
Reserve grade: Warwick 46 d Highfields 10.
Under 19: Highfields 34 d Warwick 10.
