By Glyn Rees
Halfback Matt Duggan led a polished Wattles Warriors Toowoomba Rugby League first grade outfit on an eleven try rampage to overwhelm the Pittsworth Danes 60 – 24 at Club Pittsworth on Saturday evening.
Duggan exhibited his usual playmaking flare as he set his team in motion enroute to an important win for Wattles in the Round 17 clash, allowing them to hold fourth place on the ladder ahead of the Dalby Diehards on for and against.
Hooker Tom Hatch showed his class as did fullback Jackson Green and threequarters Matt Christensen, Andrew Richardson & Lachlan Watt.
Exciting right wing finisher Joe Willett cashed in with a hat trick of tries while fellow backs Christensen and Green collected a double each.
The Danes laid claim to the contest in the opening stages stretching out to a 12 – nil lead after tries by home side winger Jordan Fraser-Bellette and fullback Kyle Brose.
Duggan’s experience shone through soon after to escort Wattles to the scoreboard, drawing the defence before offloading to ever dependable back-rower Tyson Stevens who was well up to the task of making the necessary metres in traffic to the line for the Warriors initial touchdown.
Stevens’ four-pointer, along with four others went unanswered as Wattles dominated the first half to lead 28 – 12 by the half time hooter.
When hooker Tommy Hatch scrambled over early in the second stanza it signalled the start of a six try sequence with the visitors maintaining the momentum throughout the final forty minutes.
While centre Tanti Pipi and second-rower Liam Short crossed for tries in the second half encouraging the home crowd, Wattles had the game firmly in their grasp.
Western Clydesdales aligned 23-year-old front-rower Penisimani Teaupa was an imposing challenge for the Danes at 186 cm and 117 kg.
Teaupa boasts eight Western Clydesdales matches on his belt this season, with Saturday’s outing his second in green and gold.
He certainly made his presence felt in Wattles go forward and was rewarded with a try in the winning total, adding plenty of starch to an on-song pack including Cooper Tate-Roche, Jacob Leach and Tyson Stevens in full stride.
Winger Isaac Leach was drafted into the Warriors line-up after seasoned finisher Mitch Bourke fell victim to illness late in the week.
Leach, younger brother of tough forward enforcer Jacob Leach, collecting his third top grade try in his second first grade match of the season.
The injury affected Warrior’s line-up included a familiar face in premiership winning forward Dale Perkins who came off the bench in his first top grade contest since the 2022 Grand Final.
Ballandean based Perkins, who has been a regular with the Stanthorpe Gremlins in 2024, is a Wattles dual registration.
Coach Travis Burns’ focus this week is to have his top graders finish the fixture season on a high note by dispatching the Goondiwindi Boars at Platz Oval next Saturday to further firm in the top five.
Wattles 60 (Joe Willett 3, Jackson Green 2, Matt Christensen 2, Matt Duggan, Isaac Leach, Thomas Hatch, Penisimani Teaupa tries; Brayden Paix 6, Thomas Hatch 2 goals)
Pittsworth 24 (Jordan Fraser-Bellette, Kyle Brose, Tanti Pipi, Liam Short tries; Jordan O’Shea 4 goals).
Reserve Grade
After a disappointing result against the Warwick Cowboys in their previous outing, coach Tony Morris was thrilled with his side’s gritty 18 – 14 win over the Danes, “it was certainly great to get what was an important win, Pittsworth had plenty of size and they threw everything at us.”
Wattles built steadily on a 10 all half time score to snatch the premiership points and lock into third place on the ladder.
Seasoned lock forward Nick Morris stood tall in the result, with hooker Jack Duggan and five-eight Ryan Stevens key performers.
Wattles 18 (Dale McAntee 2, Jacob Meddleton, Marley Tunstead tries; Tom Morris goal)
Pittsworth 14 (Sebastyan Thompson 2, Ausage Meauli tries; Jake Johnston goal)
Under 19
Wattles Colts staged a sterling fightback to secure a 20 – 20 draw with the Danes, a gutsy resurgence considering they jogged in at half time trailing Pittsworth 16 – 6.
The only green and gold points of the first half came through a touchdown by team skipper Reuben Sullivan.
The second stanza saw them rally scoring three tries through hooker Bryce Stewart, second-rower Darcy Betts and winger Jack Wright to a single by the Danes and secure a premiership point and share match success.
Fullback Lachie Clements continues his outstanding form, with forwards Paul Costello and Darcy Betts paving the way in the centre.
The welcome draw has Wattles Under 19’s locked on to fifth rung on the premiership ladder.
Wattles 20 (Reuben Sullivan, Bryce Stewart, Darcy Betts, Jack Wright tries; Koby DeLuca two goals)
Pittsworth 20 (Patrick Quinn two, Clay Dempsey, Ethan Brose tries; Lachlan Thompson two goals).
Toowoomba Rugby League Round 18
Wattles v Goondiwindi
Sunday, 18 August
Platz Oval. Clifton
Under 19 – 11.30am.
Reserve Grade – 1pm
A Grade – 2.30 pm.
