Paix Engineers Warriors’ success

Glyn Rees editor@thedailyjournal.ink

Livewire halfback

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, May 20, 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.”

Wattles lost virtually on the bell in the previous week to Gatton at a wet Cahill Park, and were expecting another more than challenging contest against the Boars on their way to a clash with the undefeated ladder leaders Valleys next weekend.

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 8am until the senior club fixtures kicked-off at 3.30pm.

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.

Wattles were in top gear early in the main game to hold an 18 – 0 lead after 20 minutes through tries by fullback Matt Christensen in the very first minute of play, front row bookend Mitch Duff and the first of two touchdowns to winger Mitch Bourke.

Fleet of foot centre Austin Jennings crossed minutes before the half time siren to have Wattles ahead 24 – 6 at the break, the Boars sole first stanza try by slippery three-quarter Garry Prince.

The Goondiwindi outfit presented better in the second half, however their two touchdowns, one by centre Malcolm McGrady ten minutes into the new half and a second by Prince with full time looming did little to halt the green and gold onslaught.

Wattles crossed for three four-pointers in the second forty minutes, Bourke and Jennings cashing in to complete doubles and Brayden Paix in the 54th minute.

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

(Garry Prince 2, Malcolm McGrady tries Malcolm McGrady 2 goals)

Reserve Grade

Wattles 48 (Josh Henry 3, Tim Hentschel 2, Dale McAntee, Will Manley, Jack Duggan, Tom Henry tries; Jordan Henry 6 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 6 (Levi Sharpley try; Jordon Anderson goal).

Under 19

Wattles 38 (Aiden Suhan 4, Lachlan Clements 2, Chris Watt, Hamish Gartery tries; Koby De Luca 3 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 16 (Ethan McGrady, Emerson Harris, Ayden Bate tries; Heath Green 2 goals).

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.