The 2015 Toowoomba Rugby League (TRL) season, with eleven teams competing, commenced last Saturday night.
Two fixtures were played on Saturday and the remaining three games on Sunday. The premiers from 2014, Wattles Warriors, had the bye.
The first game on Saturday night saw the re-introduction of the Goondiwindi Boars in the TRL. The Boars unfortunately ran into a red hot Valleys Roosters outfit.
The Roosters, playing at home, scorched the turf with a resounding 72-10 victory over the competition new-comers. The Valleys dual premiership winning coach, Justin Murphy was more than happy with his charges especially in the first 20 minutes where the Roosters were near perfect.
In Warwick, the Cowboys laid claim to early competition favourites with a resounding victory over the Brother leprechauns. Warwick ran out convincing winners 46-0 after leading 20-0 at half time. The Cowboys have recruited well and supporters will have high expectations for the new season.
I am sure the players will be hell bent on erasing last year’s finals exit. The second half performance against Gatton in last year’s qualifying final left most spectators and players perplexed. I believe that lost opportunity will spur the Cowboys to greater things in season 2015.
On Sunday Highfields met a new look Souths outfit at the home of rugby league Clive Berghoffer Stadium. The two sides traded blows in the first half with Highfields holding a narrow four point margin at the break.
The second half remained tight until the last 20 minutes when the Eagles stamped their authority and ran way with the match 42-10. Coach Gus Mckellar would be happy to get the first game out of the way, and to register points against the Tigers. The win will give the coach and club a great boost in confidence for the season.
Pittsworth travelled to Gatton on Sunday in what shaped as an intriguing battle. Pittsworth with a new coach and some new recruits from Great Britain were looking to make a good start. The Danes were on the money early and led the 2014 grand finalists 18-12 at half-time. The Gatton side began to hit their straps in the second stanza and ran out 50-30 winners in a high scoring encounter.
The last game of the weekend saw a much vaunted Dalby side pitted against the Oakey Bears. The Oakey Bears were able to run out winners 38-20 after leading 22-8 at half time.