Toowoomba Rugby League hosted finals on the Saturday, August 27 and August 28 with elimination and qualifying finals played.
Reports from each game are below.
Under 19: Warwick 18 def Dalby 16
It was an even contest early in the first elimination final of the day. Dylan Nobbs from Dalby and Jeffrey Ross from Warwick scored with Dalby leading 6-4 until Warwick’s Nick Carrie scrambled over near the posts to get the Cowboys in front 10-6 with four minutes remaining in the half. But a little bit of brilliance by Lleyton Dodd saw him score right on halftime to give the lead back to Dalby 12-10.
It took 15 minutes of a very tough and physical second half until the scoreboard was touched again. Warwick hooker Damien Beresford scored 10 metres to the left of the upright to regain the lead for the young Cowboys. It was a real tussle up until that point, but Cowboys took their opportunity when given a chance.
Jack Welsh scored with numbers out wide for Dalby with four minutes remaining. The conversion was unsuccessful which set up overtime, but a penalty to Warwick 20 metres in front of the upright allowed Nick Carrie to coolly slot the kick and give the Cowboys an exciting win.
Warwick 18 (Jeffrey Ross, Nick Carrie, Damien Beresford tries Nick Carrie 3 goals) defeated Dalby 16 (Dylan Nobbs, Lleyton Dodd, Jack Welsh tries Alexander Lindsay 2 goals)
Women: Oakey 26 def Valleys 14
Oakey made their own little bit of history after their first season in the Women’s competition making the finals, but taking it further by defeating Valleys 26-14.
The Bears deserved to win with Clarissa Janes playing her best game of the season. Zerlina Dyer and Pearl Hood also played well for Oakey.
Anna Dingley scored a double for Valleys and showed her class in a beaten side.
It was an exciting match and Oakey were the underdogs going into the match as Valleys are an experienced outfit.
Oakey now go on to play Goondiwindi next week.
Oakey 26 (Zerlina Dyer, Pearl Hood, Lillian Fo’ou, Clarissa Janes, Elly Close tries Sabina McLoughlin 3 goals) defeated Valleys 14 (Anna Dingley 2, Jessica Barnes tries Janet Morofa goal)
Reserve Grade: Valleys 24 def Warwick 10
Perennial finalists Valleys showed they are not a spent force with a convincing win over an improved Warwick in the reserve grade elimination final. The Roosters started well racing to a 18-0 lead thanks to three converted tries from Lachlan Stephson and Josh Hancock.
The Roosters reaction to keep Cowboys at bay was good even though the Cowboys grabbed two tries through Joe Wagner and Jeffrey Ross to give them a chance at 10-18 but Jesse Martin’s 50th minute sealed the match for Valleys 24-10.
The Roosters have found form these last couple of weeks and will back themselves to go further in the finals. They are playing very well.
Valleys 24 (Lachlan Stephson 2, Josh Hancock, Jesse Martin tries Josh Hancock 4 goals) defeated Warwick 10 (Jeffrey Ross, Joseph Wagner tries Matt Henry goal)
A Grade: Goondiwindi 40 def Dalby 30
Goondiwindi did their premiership defence no harm with a come from behind win against Dalby. The Diehards were tremendous all game but just could not keep out the fast-finishing Boars who laid on four second half tries through their captain David McGrady.
In the absence of Travis Waddell, McGrady rallied his team late. Woodbridge, Prince and Bennetto, in particular, who took advantage of Dalby’s tired big men.
But Dalby was by no means disgraced and gave themselves. They started well and unveiled a future super star in Lyhkan King-Togia. He scored two tries, his 33rd min try was the try of the match.
Each side threw everything at the game, but McGrady scored with five minutes remaining to break the deadlock 36-30 and a couple of penalties to finish the game and Goondiwindi survive another week and it will take a good side to stop their momentum in 2022.
Under 19: Highfields 34 def Brothers Ipswich 24
President Cup finalists booked another crack at Gatton Hawks next weekend when they defeated Ipswich Brothers 34-24 in the Under 19 Qualifying final.
Highfields were in control of the match for most of the time as they led 22-10 at half time. Ipswich Brothers tried hard and finished well but it was Highfields day.
Ipswich Brothers live another day and play Warwick next week whilst Highfields renew their 2022 rivalry with Gatton for a crack at a Grand Final berth.
Highfields 34 (Conor Nicholls 2, Ryan Gill, Klayton Pickering, Darcy Carswell, Jai Purser tries Chad Lebsanft 5 goals) defeated Ipswich Brothers 24 (Blake McGreevy 2, Nicholas Torrens, Derek Barclay, Tallas Squires tries Nicholas Torrens, Zane Kaatz goals)
Women: Newtown 50 def Goondiwindi 4
Newtown put out a message in the 2022 Toowoomba Sports Club Women’s competition with a comprehensive win over Goondiwindi 50-4.
Goondiwindi live another day and face fellow “first timers” Oakey next week whilst Newtown will be confident going into the Major Semi Final against Gatton.
Newtown 50 (Kiara Taylor 2, Paige Edwards 2, Amanda Hinch, Lorna Murray, Peppa Hoare, Tegan Gibbs, Rikki-Lee Boney, Khloe Edwards tries Natalia Parsons 4, Tia Hinch goals) defeated Goondiwindi 4 (Sharyn Blundell try)
Reserve: Gatton 24 def Highfields 22
Last year’s premiers Gatton won a hard fought game against Highfields 24-22. The Hawks led 16-0 after 15 minutes. And they held the lead for most of the match until Highfields’ Lachlan Thom scored a length of the try to get the Eagles within two points 24-22 and the Hawks hung on to outlast the fast-finishing Highfields to ensure the Gatton club secured four grades at Gatton next week at Hawks home ground.
Gatton 24 (Chevez Hughes 2, Jagan Swan, Todd Bichel, Macen Job tries Jagan Swan 2 goals) defeated Highfields 22 (Blake Appo, Tyson Klingberg, Jack Hutton, Lachlan Thom tries Cory Haywood 3 goals)
A Grade: Wattles 52 def Highfields 14
Wattles Warriors booked a game with Gatton in the major semi final for a crack at a grand final birth when they comprehensively defeated Highfields Eagles 52-14 in the qualifying final on Sunday. Travis Burns led the way for the Warriors with an inspirational first half.
Wattles led 30-10 at halftime in an amazing display and fullback Jackson Green scored three tries to completely dominate the Eagles.
Highfields scored first, but it was all Wattles with a large wind assisting them put away their opposition away.
It was an amazing win at home for Wattles and they are primed to meet Gatton next Sunday for the right to be present on grand final day.
Highfields live for another day and have the consolation of a home final next Saturday where they meet Goondiwindi in a knock out final.
Wattles 52 (Jackson Green 3, Tyson Stevens 2, Austin Jennings, Natt Christensen, Ryan Duggan, Travis Burns tries Travis Burns 6, Tysin Stevens, Kai Duggan goals) defeated Highfields 14 ( Carl Clement, Matthew Waites, Conor Nolan tries Cory McGrady goal)
Next week's games
Saturday, September 3 at Highfields, Kuhls Road
Knock out finals
A Grade: Highfields v Goondiwindi
Reserve Grade: Highfields v Valleys
Women: Goondiwindi v Oakey
Under 19: Ipswich Brothers v Warwick
*Times to be confirmed
Sunday, September 4 at Cahill Park Sporting Complex, Gatton
Major semi finals:
A Grade: 2.30pm - Gatton v Wattles
Reserve Grade:1pm - Wattles v Gatton
Women:11.30am - Gatton v Newtown
Under 19: 10am - Gatton v Highfields
Main image: Highfields Cory McGrady Kicks for his outside men. Wattles Kai Duggan looks on. Photo: supplied
