Dalby Diehards building momentum after come-from-behind victory in first week of Toowoomba Rugby League finals

The Dalby Diehards are looking to defend their Toowoomba Rugby League premiership title after advancing to this weekend’s semi-finals in a thrilling win. Find out more here.

The Dalby Diehards A-grade and under-19s sides are through to the semi-finals after impressive showings over the past two weeks.

On Saturday the A-grade side had a competitive back and forth match that culminated in a thrilling finish, coming back from 12 points down at halftime to defeat the Wattles Warriors 24-22.

“It was an outstanding effort, they are really starting to play with some belief now, we’ve had a big turn around since we’ve been playing the top sides,” coach Dan Manley said.

“We played Valleys a few weeks back and we had a player sent off in the first 15 minutes, we played most of the game with 12 players and they only just beat us and I think that gave them a bit of belief.

“We then rolled that into beating Warwick who were first when we played them then we beat Wattles on Saturday night so we are in a good space and hit our straps at the right time.”

Meanwhile the under-19s side also came away with a strong win the weekend prior defeating the Warwick Cowboys winning 32-18.

“The under-19s got the weekend off because they finished minor premiers so this will be their first game of the finals on Sunday and they are feeling pretty confident,” Manley said.

“The young players have really stepped up in the last few weeks, they’ve really impressed, they had a bit of a tune up earlier in the year and we are starting to reap the benefits earlier of their introduction than we thought we would.

“The A-grade will be playing Warwick next weekend and our under-19s will be playing Gatton.”

Meanwhile the reserves narrowly lost to Gatton Hawks 16-12.

“Our reserves had some pretty disastrous referee calls but you can't really blame that because the ball control wasn't great and they were facing a pretty handy side, it's unfortunate but that's the way it goes,” Manley said.

Manley said after the departure of several senior players last year it would be great for the relatively fresh A-grade side to take the flag for the second year running.

“It would be incredible to win it, we didn't think we would be at the stage we are at already, but they are improving every week,” he said.

“If they came in and won back to back then that would set us up for the next three or four years, we feel like there is dynasty building here, the likes of the Valleys in the mid-2000s, it certainly has that feel about it.

“We’ve had two groups that have come through the juniors back to back that were winning everything and they’ve all hung around so we are reaping the benefits at the moment.

“We thought might not be in the position to defend the crown but we are growing in confidence every week.”

Originally published as Dalby Diehards building momentum after come-from-behind victory in first week of Toowoomba Rugby League finals