By Andrew O’brien and Tania Phillips
The Warwick Cowboys returned to the finals picture with an excellent win over Dalby 54-26 in Saturday night’s TRL First Grade elimination final at Father Ranger Oval in Warwick and will now play Gatton in Toowoomba this weekend for a grand final spot.
The Cowboys led 34-10 at half-time and closed the game out in a polished display.
It was Warwick best start to a game in recent times and set the scene for the first grade to possible join their reserve grade in the grand final in Toowoomba in two weeks. Col Speed said the whole weekend was huge for the Cowboys club.
“It was a massive effort from everyone, I’m just so happy to see the reserve grade get through, their coach Sam Williamson is an absolute champion clubman and it’s just rewards for all the hard work and effort he puts in,” Speed said.
“It’s a credit to everyone, Sam being the super human being that he is, was more worried about the people who have missed out (on different finals games) but I said to him everyone’s contributed and there’s tough decisions to make. The other thing at the club that we really appreciated was that reserve grade were there to support us on Saturday night and then all the A graders and coaching staff were there on Sunday at Gatton to support them. We’re doing everything together which is fantastic.”
He Saturday night’s game saw Dalby pretty determined to defend their premiership.
“We set a few goals in regards to starting well and we achieved that,” he said.
“The first set was a bit of a hiccup but apart from that everything else went well. The forwards had laid a platform for us in the middle and then on the edges Joseph Vite and Jake Speed were very good and on the other edge Josh Robinson, Morgan Edwards and young Jone Rarabalavu, the Fijian boy were really good. And our halves combined with Ben Sullivan and Nick Chapman at the back. But Tui Oloapu was great in the middle that’s the massive change we’ve made. We brought him in from the edge and put him in the middle and he was massive for us. It gave it as a bit more go-forward as well as communication, direction and game management. Where as on the edge he’s very good but he’s always waiting for someone to give him the pass or some directions whereas if he’s in the middle he can run his own show.”
While Dalby scored first, the Cowboys scored three unanswered tries in succession to lead 18-4 after 15 minutes. Dalby’s Chris Woodbridge got the Diehards back in the match with a clever try close to Warwick’s line in 24th minute. (18-10).
Warwick repeated their start to the first with three closing tries to go to the break in full control of the match. It was Warwick’s urgency in both attack and defence that impressed. Cowboys centre Joe Vite was superb in the first stanza and his team mates lifted. Darryl Erepia was also very good early.
Vite grabbed his second try after 6 minutes in the second half. After last week off, he relished the conditions and delivered accordingly.
Dalby scored the next two tries just to remind everyone they were not a spent force. Blake Mara and Sam Fermor both scored in successive sets of six to get them to 38-22.
But Warwick rallied to put away the match 54-26 with Tui Oloapu leading the way. The Cowboys front rower was the player of the match. He never stopped all game and was rewarded with a try close to full time much to the delight of the nearby Bay 13.
Warwick showed glimpses of their undefeated form over the last couple of weeks. They put it all together in this game and will be very confident in challenging for their long-awaited title.
Cowboys’ halves, Caleb Murphy and Nick Carrie played well with Carrie’s 40th minute try excellent. It was a great individual try and lifted his side.
Dalby are to be congratulated on their admirable defence of their premiership. They can be proud of the way they grew during the season with the influx of their younger side. Their future is secured.
But it was Cowboys night and a rewarding win after recent near misses. They finally had their full compliment on the field and will be confident going in to next week’s preliminary final.
Warwick 54 (Joe Vite 2, Darryle Erepia, Jake Speed, Jone Rarabalavu, Mitch Wilson, Nick Carrie, Harry Sullivan, Byron Creighton, Tui Oloapu tries Caleb Murphy 7 goals) defeated Dalby 26 (Chris Woodbridge 2, Matthew Drews, Sam Fermor, Blake Mara tries Josh Chappell 3 tries)
Reserve Grade
Valleys 17 d. Gatton 16
The 2024 final series continued it’s amazing games with another beaty when Valleys’ Jaren Bender kicked a field goal after 14 minutes of extra time. The Roosters were 16-nil down at half time and somehow rallied in the second half to level the scores at 16 all.
It was an amazing game and kept Valleys’ defence of their premiership alive but gee they have put their supporters through a heap of anxiety when they lost in the last second last week and now this game. Maybe destiny is on their side.
Gatton were gallant in defeat and are to be congratulated on their finals series as their opposition in these finals knew they were in for a game.
It was one of two “extra time” games on the day. The A grade was delayed by 40 minutes as a result.
Valleys 17 (Curtly Hammond, Connor Edwards, Uraia Koroi tries Jaren Bender 2 goals) defeated Gatton 16 (Allan Morris 2, Oni Korobola tries James Schroeder 2 goals)
WOMEN
Valleys 20 d Brothers 8
Valleys made their first preliminary final since the womens competition started when they defeated Brothers 20-8 on Saturday afternoon. Roosters Zoe Cook scored three tries in their win.
Brothers can be proud of their performance this season as they made their first finals series. Chontelle Orcher scored a double for the Leprechauns.
But it was Valley’s Day and their club have all grades still in the competition finals.
Valleys 20 (Zoe Cook 3, Bree Diment tries Zoe Cook 2) defeated Brothers 8 (Chontelle Orcher 2 tries)
UNDER 19
Souths 30 d Brothers 26
A fourth-minute extra time try by Souths five eight Jake Durie put the young tigers through to the 2024 preliminary final. Locked at 26 all at full time Souths dug deep to secure the match. Brothers were in front late in the second half 20-18 until Souths rallied.
It was a wonderful match with both sides to be congratulated for the exemplary nature the way they played the contest is warm conditions.
Referee Bridie Pendergast is also to be congratulated in officiating a free flowing game.
Souths 30 (Darnell Blades 2, Tyson Clarkson, Ronan Delany, Lucas Paynter tries Tait Cameron 3 goals) defeated Brothers 26 (Harry Clancy, Matthew Schultz, Amdes Saunders, Pat Muir tries Sam Sheppard 5 goals)
