Read the Round 8 wrap-up of the Toowoomba Rugby League with Obee’s Summary.
Souths 26 def Wattles 8
Souths travelled to Clifton on Saturday and didn’t have things all their own way. The first half was nice and tough with Souths leading 10-0. Both sides completion rate were good throughout the contest and the coaches agreed that the scoreboard did not indicate the game. For Souths, Corey Blades and Karl Schemioneck stood out whilst Jason Wilmott tried hard for the Warriors.
Souths had two intercept tries and that was the story of the match. Take them away and it was a different ball game. Irrespective, intercepts are part of the game.
Souths 26 (Corey Blades, Aaron Hooper, Luke Nolan, Adam Waters tries Luke Nolan 5 goals) defeated Wattles 8 (Cameron Shannon, Tyrone Jowett)
Warwick 50 def Pittsworth 12
Warwick confirmed they were one of the teams to beat in the 2016 TRL premiership competition with empathic win over top of the ladder Pittsworth Danes. Warwick’s Mick Bloomfield had the ball on a string. He scored two tries and a bag of goals in a Man of the Match performance. It was the Cowboys experienced players, Matt Marshall and Dylan Galloway who also stood up in a clinical performance. Young guns Josh O’Brien and in form Brock Croft also contributed to the win.
Pittsworth coach Ian Brackstone said his team simply weren’t let into the game and that the opposition were “far and away better than anyone they had played so far in the competition”.
Cam Miller and Matthew Briggs tired hard for the Danes.
Warwick 50 (Mick Bloomfield 2, Matt Marshall 2, Dan Watson, Ryan McIvor, Morgan Taylor, Brook Croft, Josh O’Brien tries Mick Bloomfield 5, Morgan Taylor 2) defeated Pittsworth 12 (Kabunare Kofe, Jordan O’Shea tries Jake Johnston 2 goals)
Gatton 36 def Valleys 6
Gatton Hawks won their first game at home with a comprehensive win over last start winners Valleys. The Hawks outside backs scored most of the tries and just did not let Valley off the hook, although the Roosters took the game to them in patches. Alex Ambia was again impressive as was Callum Woolacott and Robbie Fletcher.
The Hawks led 16-6 at half time and scored 20 unanswered points to confirm their top five spot in the competition.
It was just not Valleys day at the office. They did look the better side in the first 20 mins when it was a real arm wrestle but lack of possession took its toll in the end. Hnaloan Budden and Ryan Stevens played well for the Roosters.
Gatton 36 (Alex Ambia 2, Steve Franciscus, Cameron Nicholls, Tye Gray, Michael Frohloff, Robbie Fletcher tries Callum Woolacott 3, Steve Franciscus goals) defeated Valleys 6 (Tyren Nicholls try Josh Hancock goal)
Goondiwindi 22 def Oakey 18
Goondiwindi registered their first win of the season when they overcame a terrible away record to take the chocolates. The scores were locked at 14-14 for most of the second half until Goondiwindi snuck away to win. The Tribe brothers and captain coach Matt Galvin played well for Goondiwindi, but Galvin said that Callam Skinner stood out to get the player of the match.
Oakey fullback Dylan Adamson scored a double for the Bears but to no avail. Goondiwindi outlasted their opposition in the second half when the Bears really put it to the Boars
Goondiwindi 22 (Timothy Tribe, Brady Martyn, Matthew Galvin, Ronnie David tries Adam Tribe 3 goals) defeated Oakey 18 (Dylan Adamson 2, Massey Collins-Wharton, Allwin Long tries Dylan Adamson goal)
Highfields 22 def Brothers 18
In an important match, Brothers travelled to Kuhls road in an effort to stay in touch with the competition leaders, whilst Highfields really needed to get their season underway after a string of close losses.
The first half was a very close tussle with momentum swinging between each side. Highfields certainly deserved to be in front, but did waste opportunities in a scrappy first term. Brothers were also their own worst enemy turning over possession regularly.
Highfields injury blows continued in this game with co-captain Nick Bainbridge and in-form lock Jayden Motley both receiving heavy head knocks midway through the first half and did not return to the game.
Highfields led 10-6 at the break with the Lee brothers and Brothers Michael Witt dictating play.
Brothers came out of the break breathing fire. Winger Brayden Barrett scored two tries in two minutes to surprise Highfields to take an 18-10 lead with 20 minutes remaining. Brothers were starved of possession from that point and the Eagles clawed their way back through tries to Robbie Elara and Conor Nolan to snatch back the lead 20-18.
Brothers lost Nick Patterson for a late shot on Eagles half Jarrod Lee within the last ten minutes. Patterson was sent to the sin bin for the indiscretion. Then with a couple of minutes remaining Michael Witt was sent for 10 minutes for dissent. Witt was adamant Highfields had knocked on but the Referee disagreed on the back of a touchies call.
Brothers coach Liam Cullen, whilst not happy with the decision, said they went to sleep in the second half. Highfields coach Gus McKellar on the other hand praised his players after the loss of Bainbridge and Motley early in the match.
Highfields 22 (Steven Lee, Jarrod Lee, Conor Nolan. Jarrod Lee, Robbie Elara tries. Jarrod Lee 3 Goals) defeated Brothers 18 (Braydon Barrett 2, Marcus Cochrane tries Michael Witt 3 goals
