By Tania Phillips
Toowoomba Sports Grounds will host the Rugby Union Darling Downs grand final day at the weekend with action starting from 11.30am with the C Grade final on Saturday.
Unfortunately, though they made the finals series, Warwick Water Rats bowed out to St George Frillnecks two weeks ago with the Frillnecks going down to Gatton at the weekend.
However Water Rats president Tess Cullen said the club, who play in the B Grade competition and are in a rebuilding phase, were really happy with their season.
“We were so beyond proud to have made it so far,” she said.
“Plenty of emotions from everyone which really shocked us all but shows that even though it’s just a silly game, it really means so much more to many of us than that.
“To have spent the past few years essentially building the team back up off the ground, it’s taken a huge amount of effort and dedication.
“We couldn’t be happier to have done what we did this reason and hopefully now, with a better base as a club, next year we will be better again.
“We drew last weekend (10/08) so because St George were higher on the ladder we didn’t go through to the next round of finals.
“After a gutsy second half return the Water Rats ended in a draw with Frillnecks St George Rugby Union Club, 21 all. Unfortunately, St George go through to the next round of finals in accordance with Senior Competition Rules.
“Outstanding performances this week from Hamish Swift for his pin point passing and returning scrappy play to structure in one pass. Louw Wiid had a great game with his powerful runs and a great sniping try. Captain, Dean Cullen had some powerful runs, dominant scrummaging and a cheeky pilfer. In the backline Jay Mitchell and Isikeli Nakoroilagilagi both had great games attacking in the outer channels.
“Everything was left on the field. Thank you to our raucous cheer crew on the sidelines out in Goondiwindi. Thank you to our sponsors – without you we couldn’t take the field each week. Thank you to our families, friends and supporters. And thank you to our players – we are so proud of you.”
WARWICK WATER RATS draw ST GEORGE FRILLNECKS 21-all.
Water Rats tries: Isikeli Nakoroilagilagi, Dean Cullen, Louw Wiid.
Darling Downs Rugby Union Grand Finals
Risdon Cup, A Grade: Goondiwindi v Wheatmen; Women XV Black Isuzu Cup: St George/Roma v Toowoomba Bears; Bill Flamsteed Cup B Grade: Goondiwindi (who accounted for Frillnecks at the weekend) v Wheatmen.
ES Dooney Hays Cup C Grade: Wheatmen v Gatton Black Pigs.
