Action from the Wattles v Oakey clash. Photo: Simone Stanton
The Gatton Hawks continue to fly high in the ‘Hutchinson Builders’ Toowoomba Rugby League premiership after dealing out a 40–6 defeat of the Dalby Diehards at Dalby on Sunday.
While it was a day of celebration for the Mothers of our nation, the Hawks celebrated their seventh successive win as they perch comfortably atop the TRL ladder undefeated.
The initial 30 minutes saw the Hawks and Diehards grapple for a grip on the game with Gatton ahead 12–6 by half time.
But from there the boys from the Lockyer Valley showed their authority as they ran in 28 second half points holding Dalby scoreless on the way to victory.
Teenage wing sensation Billy Jackwitz crossed for two tries after his sensational performance at the recent Central Division 47th Battalion Trophy Carnival where he gained selection in the Central Division ‘Crows’.
The Warwick Cowboys also enjoyed Mother’s Day success, their President Mrs Mary-Anne Loudon thrilled with the 30–18 win over the Valleys Roosters at Toowoomba’s Herb Steinohrt Oval.
The result has Warwick knocking on the door of the top five, just two points off the pace. A highlight of the match was a length of the field try by ‘Cowboys’ flying winger Braydon Wilson when Valleys where threatening to snatch the lead fifteen minutes from full time.
The Cowboys were very happy to see seasoned former Intrust Super Cup star Luke Brosnan back in a player’s jersey after an injury break, and adding plenty to his side’s armoury.
The Oakey Bears have had a slow start to the season sitting a little lower on the ladder than they would like, but on Saturday evening on their home turf at Trevor Mickelborough Oval they showed they are a force to be reckoned with.
With current Premiers the Wattles Warriors chasing their fifth successive win, the Bears had other ideas and dominated the first stanza to lead 36–10 at the break, and despite a Wattles fight back Oakey stormed home to win comfortably 48–36.
It was Oakey’s second win of the season, their fullback Dylan Adamson playing a blinder scoring two tries and kicking eight goals for a personal total of 24 points, Dylan named the ‘Hutchies Cup’ Man of the Match.
A tremendous effort by Toowoomba representative back-rower Matt Prowse helped steer the Highfields Eagles to a 36–20 win over Brothers at Highfields’ Kuhl’s Road Complex.
The Eagles are entrenched on the second rung of the TRL ladder, sharing 10 competition points with the Pittsworth Danes.
The Danes clash with the Eagles this coming weekend in what can be considered the match of the Round.
Pittsworth finished ahead of the Goondiwindi Boars 34–22 for their fifth win of the season out at Goondiwindi’s Gilbert Oval. It was a tight result with the Danes leading 12–8 at the break, goal kicking the difference, the Danes scoring six tries to five, Patrick McDonald claiming two while talented Goondiwindi fullback David McGrady also snared a double.
Berghofer Cup 2nd Division front-runners the Millmerran Rams have scored an amazing 128 points in their last two games, finishing ahead of Dalby 66–4 in their previous outing followed by a win over Oakey 62–0 on Saturday.
Lock forward Jamie Meddings scored a sensational five tries in Saturday’s whitewash, the Rams now undefeated after five games, form their coach Chris Blinco is hopeful they can maintain.
Toowoomba Rugby League Round 8 fixtures (16/17 May): Gatton v Oakey, Souths v Valleys, Warwick v Dalby, Pittsworth v Highfields & Wattles v Goondiwindi with Brothers drawing the bye.
‘Hutchinson Builders’ A Grade Premiership Ladder after Round 7: Gatton 12, Highfields 10, Pittsworth 10, Wattles 8, Dalby 7, Warwick 6, Valleys 5, Oakey 4, Goondiwindi 4, Brothers 3, Souths 1.
