Paix Masterminds Wattles Triumph

Brayden Paix played a crucial role in the Wattles Warriors comprehensive 40 - 16 winning result over the Goondiwindi Boars at Clifton’s Platz Oval on Saturday, his side now resting in sixth place on the Toowoomba Rugby League Hutchinson Builders A Grade premiership ladder.

Paix’s scheming and organisation was central to the ‘Stillwater Pastoral Company’ Warriors returning to the winner’s podium after a frustrating start to the 2023 season that has seen them, a more than capable outfit according to coach Travis Burns, with just three wins from five outings coming in to the Goondiwindi clash.

“It was a very important game for us” said Burns, “we needn’t a win to be heading in the right direction up the ladder and lift our confidence.”

It was a massive day of rugby league on Saturday on Wattles home turf, the home club juniors up against Warwick’s Collegians in all grades from 8.00 am until the senior club fixtures kicked-off at 3.30 pm.

It was a clean sweep in the Warriors senior ranks, with the ‘Black Toyota, Warwick’ Under 19’s winning 38 – 16 prior to the ‘Tony Morris Tiling’ Reserve Graders returning to the winner’s circle after a lone season loss last week to defeat Goondiwindi overwhelmingly 48 – 6. While Paix shone throughout, vice-captain and centre Nick Van Der Poel was also among Wattles’ best, while coach Burns praised the effort of his forward pack throughout the game.

Wattles 40 (Mitch Bourke 2, Austin Jennings 2, Matt Christensen, Mitch Duff, Ty Gardner tries Braydon Paix 6 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 16

Reserve GradeReserve grade coach Tony Morris was at a loss to single at star players from his lineup after their walloping of Goondiwindi, a result that propelled the Warriors back to the head of the premiership ladder.

Elusive five-eight Josh Henry collected a hat trick of tries, while ageless threequarter Tim Henschel crossed for a double.

The Henry brothers of Josh and skipper Jordan, workaholic forward Jack Duggan, front-rower Will Manley and bench frontrower Dan Rubb were the foundation for the result.

Utility bench player Ryan Lewis, halfback Michael Duggan, fullback Joe Willett and hooker Alex Morris also shone in a contest where coach Morris felt “I didn’t have a bad player on the field.”

Wattles 48 (Josh Henry 3, Tim Hentschel 2, Dale McAntee, Will Manley, Jack Duggan, Tom Henry tries; Jordan Henry 6 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 6

Under 19 - Powerful centre Aiden Suhan left no doubt about his intentions against Goondiwindi when he ran in Wattles initial three touchdowns over the first 25 minutes of play to harvest a 14 – 0 lead.

Team mate & fullback Lachlan Clements also scored for Wattles to head in at half time leading 18 – 10.

Bench back Hamish Gartery, winger Chris Watt and Clements snared four- pointers for the home side to be riding comfortably at 32 – 16 ahead before that man Suhan burst on the scene with four minutes in hand to touch down for his fourth try and Wattles to take their winning lead.

The Cameron Hamblin coached Under 19’s are now level with Valleys on the top rung of the premiership ladder.

Wattles 38 (Aiden Suhan 4, Lachlan Clements 2, Chris Watt, Hamish Gartery tries; Koby De Luca 3 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 16 Wattles are on the road on Sunday taking on the Valleys Roosters in all grades at Toowoomba’s John McDonald Sports Complex.

The Warriors and Valleys both share top of the table status in the Under 19 and Reserve Grade competitions, while the Roosters are clear leaders after five rounds in A Grade and Wattles, coming off their one-sided win over Goondiwindi, are banging on the door of the elite top five.

Glyn Rees