Valleys are the first team to advance to the 2024 Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba Rugby League A grade grand final when they defeated Gatton on Sunday 42-16.
Valleys started the better and lead 12-0 after two quick tries in the 17th and 20th minute through Cory McGrady who set up Barney Litidamu who split the line then Josh Keoller who ran onto an excellent McGrady timed pass to score.
The Roosters did dominate the first half, but they did not put the points on the board and let the Hawks back in when Travis Turnbull scored four minutes from half time. 12-6 was the half time score.
It was an important stage of the match as Gatton did starve off Valleys raids.
The second half started well for the Hawks when Joel Brett capitalised on a Dalton Desmond Walker hit up to get Gatton within two 10-12 five minutes into the second stanza.
Hugh Sedger was tremendous for the Roosters all day and scored a great individual try for Valleys to get them to 18-10.
Almost immediately, the Hawks bounced back when Luke Self strolled over to score his second try - Valleys leading 18-16 with 20 minutes remaining.
Valleys closed the match in the last eight minutes when incredibly they scored four tries to run away with the match 42-16.
Back-to-back tries from Daniel Bain and Matt Moore saw Valleys secure their grand final berth.
It was tremendous to see Daniel Bain score late as he has been the heart and soul of Valleys these last couple of seasons.
Young Matt Moore had already played in the earlier under 19 major semi-final, which was hotter than A grade.
Valleys get a chance to overturn last year’s grand final loss.
Cory McGrady was tremendous. His game management was superb as was Dwayne Duncan’s. Josh Keoller also played well and he frustrated the Hawks.
Todd White and Josh Keoller laid the platform for the win early and their interchange players like Daniel Bain and Sam Betros helped get Roosters over the line.
Leonard Thomas was excellent for the Hawks, as was Dalton Desmond Walker.
The Hawks are not finished as they have been the benchmark this last period.
Gatton will play Warwick in next week’s preliminary final, to be played at Toowoomba Sports Ground at 2.30pm Sunday.
They both deserve to be in the grand final, but there can only be one.
Warwick Cowboys stayed in the finals picture with an excellent win over Dalby in Saturday night’s elimination final. The Cowboys led 34-10 at half time and closed the game out in a polished display.
It was Warwick's best start to a game in recent times. Whilst Dalby scored first, the Cowboys scored three unanswered tries in succession to lead 18-4 after 15 minutes.
Dalby’s Chris Woodbridge got the Diehards back in the match with a clever try close to Warwick’s line in the 24th minute, to make it 18-10.
Warwick repeated their start to the first with three closing tries to go to the break in full control of the match.
It was Warwick’s urgency in both attack and defence that impressed. Cowboys centre Joe Vite was superb in the first stanza and his teammates lifted. Darryl Erepia was also very good early.
Vite grabbed his second try after six minutes in the second half. After last week off, he relished the conditions and delivered accordingly.
Dalby scored the next two tries just to remind everyone they were not a spent force. Blake Mara and Sam Fermor both scored in successive sets of six to get them to 38-22.
But Warwick rallied to put away the match 56-26 with front tower Tui Oloapu leading the way and earning player of the match.
He never stopped all game and was rewarded with a meat pie close to full-time much to the delight of the nearby Bay 13.
Warwick showed glimpses of their undefeated form over the last couple of weeks. They put it all together in this game and will be very confident in challenging for their long-awaited title.
Cowboys halves Caleb Murphy and Nick Carrie played well, with Carrie’s 40th minute try excellent. It was a great individual try and lifted his side.
Dalby are to be congratulated on their admirable defence of their premiership. They can be proud of the way they grew during the season with the influx of their younger side. Their future is secured.
But it was Cowboys night and a rewarding win after recent near misses. They finally had their full compliment on the field and will be confident going into next week’s preliminary final.
Warwick 56 (Joe Vite 2, Darryle Erepia, Jake Speed, Jone Rarabalavu, Mitch Wilson, Nick Carrie, Harry Sullivan, Byron Creighton, Tui Oloapu tries Caleb Murphy 8 goals) defeated Dalby 26 (Chris Woodbridge 2, Matthew Drews, Sam Fermor, Blake Mara tries Josh Chappell 3 tries)
Valleys 42 (Matt Moore 2, Daniel Bain 2, Barney Litidamu, Josh Keoller, Hugh Sedger tries Dwayne Duncan 7 goals) defeated Gatton 16 (Luke Self 2 Travis Turnbull, tries Leonard Thomas 2 goals)
A grade Women
Gatton Hawks 30 def Highfields Eagles 26
Gatton Hawks will get the chance to defend their title after an epic major semi-final comeback against Highfields.
After a seesawing first 20 minutes, Highfields' Morgan Prentice ran 80m to put the first points on the board and help them to a 6-0 lead.
Just before half time, Eagles captain Tee Rogers scored out wide in a significant moment in the game. Eagles 10-0 at half time.
Highfields started the second half where they left off with Regan McMillan scoring out wide after an inspirational run up the middle by Eliza Morcom, and it was 14-0.
Gatton got their first points on the board when Kim Dore scored out wide after Mia Davies made a long break to set up the try and cut Highfields' lead to 10.
The Hawks backed that try up after a drinks break to get back in the game - Libby Dunn scoring close to the uprights, making for an easy conversion, cutting the deficit to four.
Catalin Nolan made an inspirational break as the Hawks started to find themselves. Hawks Bonnie Zappa scored in the next set when she kicked ahead and dived on her kick in the in-goal area for Hawks to level the scores 14-all.
The excitement continued when Gatton fullback Courtney Robertson made a break from her 20m line with nine minutes remaining. She sprinted away but she had to work hard to outpace the Highfields chasers - the 80m try causing the Hawks can bar to erupt.
To Highfields credit they dug deep, and Eagles winger Tyla Cantwell scored out wide to keep her side in the game.
But the three-time premiers fought back almost immediately when Karla Cameron scored out wide, putting Gatton ahead 24-18 with four minutes remaining. That was followed by a wonderful sideline conversion by Tahlia Sudhaus.
Amazingly, with 50 seconds left, Highfields scored two tries to level the scores 26-all at full-time.
In the third minute of extra time, Mia Davies scored to get the Hawks into their fourth grand final in succession.
It was the best game of the day and it was a shame there had to be a loser.
Highfields will play Valleys in next week's preliminary final, kicking off at 11.30am Sunday.
Gatton 30 (Kim Dore, Libby Dunn, Bonnie Zappa, Sarah Hoger,Courtney Robertson, Mia Davies tries Tahlia Sudhaus 3 goals) defeated Highfields 26(Lucy Davis 2,Morgan Prentice, Tee Rogers, Regan McMillan, Tyla Cantwell tries Abbey Markey goal)
Valleys 20 def Brothers 8
Valleys made their first preliminary final since the women's competition started when they defeated Brothers 20-8 on Saturday afternoon. Roosters' Zoe Cook scored three tries in their win.
Brothers can be proud of their performance this season as they made their first finals series. Chontelle Orcher scored a double for the Leprechauns.
But it was Valleys' day, and the club has all grades still in the competition finals.
Valleys 20 (Zoe Cook 3, Bree Diment tries; Zoe Cook 2 goals) defeated Brothers 8 (Chontelle Orcher 2 tries)
Reserve grade
Warwick Cowboys 38 def Wattles Warriors 4
Warwick Cowboys progressed to the 2024 Clive Berghofer Reserve Grade grand final with a 38-4 win over neighbours Wattles on a hot Sunday afternoon.
The minor premiers were tremendous, wiping away the Warriors with a 24-0 first half, and they went on with it in the second half. Cowboys’ Lance McGrady scored a hattrick for Warwick.
Wattles toiled away but Cowboys’ start surprised them and they never recovered. Wattles will replay their epic week one clash when they meet Valleys in the preliminary final.
Warwick 38 (Lance McGrady 3, Micheal Marshall, Clydie Sorua, Fredie Vite, Damian Beresford tries; Matthew Henry 5 goals) defeated Wattles 4 (Dan Rub try)
Valleys Roosters 17 def Gatton Hawks 16
The 2024 final series continued its amazing games with another beauty when Valleys’ Jaren Bender kicked a field goal after 14 minutes of extra time. The Roosters were 16-nil down at half time and somehow rallied in the second half to level the scores at 16-all.
It was an amazing game and kept Valleys’ defence of their premiership alive but gee they have put their supporters through a heap of anxiety when they lost in the last second last week and now this game. Maybe destiny is on their side.
Valleys 17 (Curtly Hammond, Connor Edwards, Uraia Koroi tries Jaren Bender 2 goals) defeated Gatton 16 (Allan Morris 2, Oni Korobola tries James Schroeder 2 goals)
Under 19s
Dalby Diehards 34 def Valleys Roosters 10
Dalby was the first team to reach the 2024 under 19 grand final when they defeated Valleys 34-10. It was the first match of the day in warm conditions.
Dalby five-eighth Joey Sankey was tremendous for the minor premiers. Sankey and Dan O’Callaghan grabbed doubles, with eight tries in all.
Valleys tried hard with fullback Will Holley their best. Dalby go straight into the grand final on September 15, whilst Valleys meet Souths in next week’s preliminary final at 10am Sunday.
Dalby 34 (Joey Sankey 2, Dan O’Callaghan 2, Thomas Brownhall, Matthew Drews, Andre Murray, Fletch Prendergast tries Brock Sankey goal) defeated Valleys 10 Aston Fortier, Riccardo Burns tries; Aston Fortier goal)
Souths 30 def Brothers 26
A fourth minute extra time try by Souths five-eighth Jake Durie put the young Tigers through to the 2024 preliminary final. Locked at 26-all at full-time, Souths dug deep to secure the match. Brothers were in front late in the second half 20-18 until Souths rallied.
It was a wonderful match with both sides to be congratulated for the exemplary nature in which they played the contest in warm conditions, and referee Bridie Pendergast for officiating a free-flowing game.
Souths 30 (Darnell Blades 2, Tyson Clarkson, Ronan Delany, Lucas Paynter tries Tait Cameron 3 goals) defeated Brothers 26 (Harry Clancy, Matthew Schultz, Amdes Saunders, Pat Muir tries Sam Sheppard 5 goals)
