The only thing certain in the Toowoomba Rugby League competition for season 2014 is that the Wattles Warriors will be there in September.
The final five make up will be dependent on how some teams react to this time of the year.
Traditionally this is the hardest time of the year to get players to train and in fact commit to the clubs with the cold weather playing its part.
Although most coaches would be thinking they are over the hurdle with only five games to go before the finals start they may be in for a shock. This period usually sorts out the contenders from the pretenders. To date the ever consistent Wattles have set the benchmark being 7 points clear of their nearest rival. It’s up to the contenders to show their credentials.
Last weekend was a mixed bag for tipsters and supporters alike. The Valleys Roosters reversed their below par form against South’s the previous week with a convincing 32-16 win over Gatton at Gatton after leading 24-4 at half time.
Clever half-back Ryan Stevens was awarded the Hutchies man of the match mug for his efforts. Stevens has blossomed this year and taken the responsibility of leading the Valleys side around the park. He is the key member of the Roosters side.
The much anticipated local derby between Oakey and Highfields provided plenty of points in a match that ebbed and flowed. At half time the Highfields Eagles led 28-10 and seemed to have the match sewn up. The unpredictable Bears stormed home to register a 42-32 victory and keep their final five hopes alive.
The Brothers leprechauns were tied 14 all with the league leaders, the Wattles Warriors at half time giving their supporters a great shot in the arm. Unfortunately the bottom placed side could not sustain the effort with the top team running out winners 46-26.
The Pittsworth Danes were no match for the Dalby Diehards with the title contenders running out 38-22 winners.
The other match scheduled for Saturday night between the South’s Tigers and the Warwick Cowboys had to be abandoned, with an electrical fault causing an outage in the lighting at the ground 20 minutes into the reserve grade fixture. The TRL decided to award both sides a point from the no contest allowing them to remain in equal fourth in the competition.
This weekend Dalby clash with South’s in the match of the round. South’s will be hell-bent on revenging their first round loss. The title favourites Wattles play Valleys at home. Valleys after their hiccup a fortnight back against South’s will need to win or at least put up an impressive display in their quest to qualify for the finals. I reckon this is a make or break match for the Roosters with a loss probably sealing their finals fate.
Warwick will play Gatton at home on Saturday night let’s hope for the Cowboys sake they can get on the field after last week’s power failure. The side has been building momentum and will be keen to test their improved form against a premiership contender. I think this will be a close match with Gatton needing to improve on their recent efforts. I will go for the home side.
Highfields play Brothers in a match no destined for great heights but an opportunity for the Brethren to register their first win. Oakey will need to account for Pittsworth if they hope to fulfil their final hopes in season 2014.
