TRL Summary – Round 14
Valleys 22 drew with Warwick 22
Valleys Roosters stepped up to the mark on Saturday night by surprising form team Warwick Cowboys 22-22. Valleys were without Luke Ash and Ryan Stevens, but still had opportunities to win the game. Valleys Coach Wayne Barnett was understandably was pleased with his side and pointed out Dexter Buchanan, Hnaloan Budden and Tyren Nicholls being his best, especially Nicholls who scored an inspirational individual try.
Warwick on the other hand were ruing a poor completion rate, especially in the second half which let Valleys into the game. Cowboy’s coach Craig Mullaly said his side had to be better if they are to continue to mix it with the top sides. His best were, Brock Croft, Ryan McIvor and Joe Fuimaono. The draw still elevates Warwick to outright second on the ladder.
Valleys 22 (Dylan Chown, Tyren Nicholls, Hnaloan Budden, Dexter Buchanan tries Trent Nicholls 2 Tyren Nicholls 1 goal) drew with Warwick 22 (Joe Fuimaono 2, Ty Gardner, Craig Donn tries Mick Bloomfield 3 goals)
Reserve Grade: Valleys 49 def Warwick 19
Under 18: Valleys 34 def Warwick 30
Second Division Valleys 32 def Warwick 24
Brothers 21 def Souths 20 *Hutchies Match*
Brothers sent a message out to the rest of the competition that they were a force to be reckoned with in this year’s competition with a nail-biting win over Souths at Clive Berghofer Stadium on Saturday night. Playing for the prestigious Johnson Family Memorial trophy, both sides gave us an early look at finals footy.
The intensity was high with both sides going a long way to control the ruck. As a result, there were a number of penalties and it wasn’t until late in the second half that Brothers started to gain the advantage over the Tigers. At that stage, Souths players Kahl Schemioneck and Aaron Cherry were sin binned for striking which left the Tigers with 11 players.
Earlier, Souths had lead 16-10 until a Michael Witt lead Brothers got his side to a 20-16 lead with 10 minutes remaining. But Souths were not to be out done when winger Connor Pyke scored an excellent unconverted try out wide with eight minutes remaining. (20-20)
Then with four minutes remaining, Brothers were about 20m out when Hutchie’s Man of the Match, Michael Witt calmly slotted a field goal to sneak Brothers in front 21-20 and that’s where it finished.
Plenty of penalties frustrated both sides and Souths had their opportunities to win the game, but Brothers just seemed to cope better.
Witt was good for Brothers as was Steven Ragh; while Connor Pyke and Junior Chung-Nee were good for Souths.
Souths captain-coach Daniel Holmes was critical of his side’s discipline saying it was the worst all year.
Brothers coach Liam Cullen’s plan of keeping play up the middle and away from their danger men worked
Brothers 21 (Nick Trevisiol, Zane Wilshire , Zack Loxley ,Michael Witt tries; Michael Witt, Mitch Tuite goals, Michael Witt field goal) defeated Souths 20 ( Kahl Schemioneck 2 , Connor Pyke 2 tries; Luke Nolan 2 goals )
Reserve Grade: Souths 44 def Brothers 12
Under 18: Souths won on forfeit against Brothers
Second Division: Brothers 28 def Souths 18
Gatton 42 def Wattles 2
Gatton convincingly beat Wattles at Cahill Park with the Hawks forwards dominating the game. Wattles were competitive in the first half trailing 12-2 at the break. The Hawks piled on 30 unanswered points in the second half with Dennis Burgoyne scoring a double off the bench. Gatton best were Burgoyne and Allan Morris whilst Jason Wilmot and Harry Fullwood tried hard for Wattles.
Gatton 42 (Dennis Burgoyne 2, Alex Groves, Dominic Haak, Allan Morris, Michael Frohloff, Robbie Fletcher, Cliff Brown tries Callum Woolacott 7 goals) def Wattles 2 (Jason Wilmot goal)
Reserve Grade: Gatton 54 def Wattles 10
Under 18: Gatton 42 def Wattles 38
Highfields 26 def Dalby 24
Another side to step up on the weekend was Highfields when they won a very close game 26-24 against Dalby at Dalby.
Dalby have lost many games this year by only a few points. They have had opportunities to put games away and this game was no different. They had the majority of possession in the game, but it was Highfields try line defence that won the game for them.
Dalby dominated for long periods, but Highfields just seemed to react better at crucial times throughout the game. Highfields held a 10-4 lead midway through the first half when Dalby levelled the score on the back of a Dylan Taylor try.
As we have seen in many TRL games this year, the period leading up to the break has been crucial and man of the match, Highfields centre Brayden Mitchell scored to take the Eagles to a 16-10 lead at halftime.
Dalby exploded just after half time when Xavier Manley scored the second of his two tries to make the scores level at 16-16.
The game was an arm wrestle from then on. The game erupted with both teams clashing and players were sin binned.
That was the turning point. The score was Dalby 24 v Highfields 20 at that stage. Then Highfields’ Braydon Mitchell made a break and ran 50m to link with fullback Blake Appo who scored with eight minutes remaining. Jared Lee kicked the subsequent conversion from the sideline to get the Eagles in front 26-24. Dalby made some late coach killers and Highfields closed out the match. Mitchell was good for the Eagles, and their back row of Hile, Motley and Miller put their bodies on the line. Xavier Manely was Diehards’ best with Chris Wilkes also playing well.
The win keeps Highfields in fifth position with Gatton whilst Dalby will find it hard to make the finals from here being 7 points out of the five.
Highfields 26 (Jared lee, Brayden Mitchell, Sean Hamel, Brent Tucker, Blake Appo tries; Jarod Lee 3 goals) def Dalby 24 (Xavier Manley 2, Braydon Alexander, Dylan Taylor, Sam Thomasson tries Zac Morris 2 goals)
Reserve Grade: Highfields 28 def Dalby 26
Under 18: Dalby 32 def Border 18; South Burnett Blue 40 def Highfields 24
Pittsworth 38 def Goondiwindi 14
Pittsworth Danes claimed outright top spot on the Toowoomba Rugby League premiership by beating Goondiwindi 38-14 at Goondiwindi. Braydon Wilson and Jake Johnston both scored doubles.
The Danes dominated most of the match and lead 20-0 at half time. Goondiwindi played better in the second half but Pittsworth did what they had to do to win the game.
Pittsworth 38 (Braydon Wilson 2, Jake Johnston 2, Liam Jocumsem, James Dempsey, Braydon Gibbs tries Jake Johnston 5 goals) def Goondiwindi 14 (Ryan North, Kingsley Mathis, Levi Wilson tries Adam Tribe goal)
Reserve Grade: Pittsworth 30 def Goondiwindi 6
Under 18: Pittsworth 32 def Goondiwindi 30
