There’s plenty of congestion at the top of the Toowoomba Rugby League ladder after Round 10 as a mere two points separate the top four teams.
With only one round to play before the Madsen-Rasmussen mid-season final between the top two teams, this weekend’s games are crucial.
In last week’s fixtures, Dalby raced to a 28-0 halftime lead to take the game from Gatton on Saturday night at Dalby Leagues Club.
It was the Diehards' best half of the season with Meringandan Hotel player of the match Dylan Taylor putting the ball on a string for his side.
In the second stanza, the Hawks played a lot better and caused Dalby some problems, but the poor start and fundamental mistakes early in the opening 40 minutes was the catalyst for the loss.
Meanwhile, the amazing 100th season of the competition continued to bring the upsets with the Souths Tigers inflicting a convincing home win against ladder-leaders Warwick.
The Cowboys’ completion rate let them down and the Tigers did not go away to claim their third win of the season.
At Gilbert Park, Goondiwindi bounced back from last week’s loss to defeat a determined Highfields side 32-18.
The Boars raced out of the blocks and scored four unanswered tries to lead 20-0 after 23 minutes, but Highfields crawled back into the match to trail 20-18 midway through the second half.
The momentum swings were extraordinary until the Boars’ starting forwards Damian McIntosh and Callum Skinner returned to the game and got their side back on track.
Some David McGrady brilliance got his side to 26-18 when he regathered his own grubber kick to score beside the posts, and Joel Currie scored in the last minute to secure the win.
On Sunday, following Warwick’s shock loss, last year’s premiers Valleys Roosters are on the top of the TRL ladder for the first time this season after a convincing win over Pittsworth at Herb Steinohrt Oval.
Dylan Chown grabbed a hat-trick and Dwayne Duncan and Kalemb Hart scored doubles in the Roosters’ big win.
In the final match of the round, despite scoring less tries than their opponents, Brothers claimed a nail-biting 28-26 win over Oakey on their home turf.
The game was an intriguing contest with the lead changing hands a number of times, but Wally Pegler’s four conversions ended up being the difference on the scoreboard.
This weekend, a mouth-watering top of the table clash headlines Round 11 with Warwick hosting Valleys.
In other matches, Pittsworth take on Goondiwindi, Brothers are at home to Gatton, Highfields hope to upset Souths and Wattles face up against Oakey.
Round 10 A Grade Results
DALBY 36 (Dan Manley 2, Alex Ambia 2, Brock Turner, Xavier Manley tries; Dylan Taylor 6 goals) defeated GATTON 16 (Billy Jackwitz, Haydan Lipp, Jaydon Williams tries; Luke Nolan, Haydan Lipp goals)
SOUTHS 24 (Ben Howard 2, Jazz Namana 2 tries; Michael Tuite 4 goals) defeated WARWICK 14 (Michael Bloomfield, Lance McGrady, Mitch Watson tries; Matt Marshall 2 goals)
GOONDIWINDI 30 (David Armstrong 2, Damian McIntosh, David McGrady, Tom Davis, Joel Currie tries; Adam Tribe 3 goals) defeated HIGHFIELDS 18 (Josh Fanning, Alex Brighton, Conor Nolan, Jeff Nielsen tries; Jarred Lee goal)
VALLEYS 60 (Dylan Chown 3, Dwayne Duncan 2, Kalemb Hart 2, Aaron Sillitoe, Dexter Buchanan, Nathan Bowering, Joe Mua tries; Dwayne Duncan 7, Drew Jackson goals) defeated PITTSWORTH 10 (Jake Johnston, Luke Hill tries; Jake Johnston goal)
BROTHERS 28 (Ricky Davies, Joseph Brandon, Ben Holman, Robert Taylor Alex Rangiira tries Wally Pegler 4 goals) defeated OAKEY 26 (Josh Stanton, Damon Anderson, Steve Rodgers, Ezzard Beard, Harley Farrar, Dylan Adamson tries; Dylan Adamson 1 goal)
