Rugby league: Warwick Cowboys, Wattles Warriors line up huge finals clashes

A handful of teams across the Warwick region are keeping their grand final hopes alive for the 2022 season, with only a few games standing between the home teams and premiership glory.

The Warwick Cowboys U19s side is just one of the rugby league sides across the area heading into finals footy this weekend, locking in a semi-final decider to battle it out for a place in this season’s grand final.

With the club’s A- and reserve grade teams knocked out earlier on in the Toowoomba Rugby League finals series, the U19s remain Warwick’s last hope of a senior team winning a premiership.

While most of Warwick’s senior sides are out of the running, the Wattles Warriors A- and reserve grade teams have already earned their place in massive grand final clashes this month.

The senior grades may be spurred on by the success of the town’s younger contingent, with several Collegians Junior Rugby League teams scoring premiership wins last weekend.

See Warwick’s full finals preview below:

Warwick Cowboys U19s

Nick Carrie scoring a try at Toowoomba for the Warwick U19s (Supplied: Dee Carrie)

Warwick’s U19s side beat Ipswich Brothers 32-16 in a thrilling elimination final last weekend, leaving them only one game away from the grand final.

Cowboys player Jeffrey Ross stunned the opposition, scoring two tries within two minutes, and teammate Nick Carrie scored another late try to cap off the game.

Only this weekend’s game against Highfields stands between the Warwick side and a place in the grand final.

U19s coach Scott Fisher said the community was rallying around the team through their run to the premiership.

“The town and whole club is giving us great reception, because all of the Cowboy sides have been knocked out of their competitions, so the whole club is backing the boys and they’re keen for it,” Fisher said.

“The boys can beat anyone if we keep up the strength that we have been in the last couple weeks, and we can take it home.

“We’re getting better and better every week, we’ve improved a lot in the last year.”

The u19 Cowboys play this weekend in the semi finals against Highfields for a spot in the grand final.

Wattles Warriors, who have not won a grand final since 2015, will be facing off for the premiership on September 18

Wattles Warriors A-grade, reserve grade

The Wattles Warriors A- and reserve-grade teams’ performances throughout the 2022 season have earned them an early place in the grand final clashes on September 18.

Both Wattles teams played well in the qualifying semi-final matches away from home against Gatton, with A-grade side winning 36-22 and the reserve grade a closer victory at 20-18.

The reserve grade match was extremely tight throughout, but the quick play of Joe Morris and Aaron Hooper that put Warriors ahead in the dying minutes of the game.

Both Wattles teams will face off against either Gatton or Highfields in the grand final on September 18.

The U17 Warwick side after a very muddy grand final (Photo: Kylie Doherty)

Collegians U17s

The Collegians U17s side clinched the premiership win in a hard-won game across the border at Tenterfield, defeating the Wattles Warriors side 10-4.

Coach David Hallman said it would be the last time playing together for many of the boys, who would next season move into different grades as senior players.

“The boys played really well, especially in defence, some of their best playing all year and really played well in the wet conditions,” Hallman said.

The U17 Collegian Dragons were victorious against the Warriors on Saturday (Photo: Kylie Doherty)

“I talked to some of the boys after the game and they were really relieved to get the win. They were really nervous because they expected to win the premiership again, and now are excited about moving on to next year.

“It’s a big weight off their shoulders. After 12 years of playing for some of them, it’s a great way to finish their junior rugby league careers – they should be happy with how they’ve played.”

The U15 Warwick side was also victorious in the finals against home team the Tenterfield Tigers (Photo: Helen Bohm)

Collegians U15s

Another success at Tenterfield came for the undefeated Warwick U15s side against the Tenterfield Tigers 16-6.

Coach Tim Doyle said it was a good reward for the players after a lot of hard work this season.

“We had a really strong defence, it was outstanding and had a good lead in the first half. Great tackles and Tenterfield threw a lot at us, but we only gave up one try,” he said.

“The boys were pleased and I was really proud of them, it’s a big achievement and being undefeated is a good feeling, especially when it was extremely hard with the rain and mud.

“They’ll all have great mateship and culture and can’t wait to get into it again next year.”