Gatton rule the roost in thrilling day of TRL trophy showdowns
Gatton stood tall in a thrilling day of Toowoomba Rugby League trophy finals – winning the coveted Madsen Rasmussen and Women’s President’s Cup double. Here’s our look at all the action from Toowoomba’s Clive Berghofer Stadium PLUS our 130+ Photo Gallery.
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Gatton Hawks ruled the roost in a thrilling day of Toowoomba Rugby League ‘trophy finals’ on Saturday.
The Hawks A-grade men and women proved why the Lockyer Valley club ranks among the TRL’s benchmark outfits.
In the Madsen Rasmussen final it was all one way traffic with the Gatton running in seven unanswered tries before Valleys troubled the scoreboard attendant.
The Hawks proved their position as title contenders with a convincing 36-4 win.
Earlier in the day the club’s women’s team held off a determined Oakey Bears to win the Women’s President’s Cup 16-8.
A-GRADE
The only match of the night that wasn’t a tight contest, Gatton Hawks were just too good for a depleted Valleys Roosters outfit.
Up 30-0 at the end of the first half, the Hawks looked primed to put on a cricket score, but to their credit, Valleys came out and shut down their own end, allowing just one try in the second stanza, and scoring one of their own to save face.
Player of the match and Bill and Stephen Pollard medallist Luke Self was supreme, putting on both an attacking and defensive clinic.
“I think we just really wanted that win,” Self said.
“I know it sounds a bit obvious to say but the boys just wanted it bad today and we know this (win) doesn’t give us two (competition) points but we never want to lose.
“We put them (Valleys) away in the first half and that really made the rest of the game a lot more comfortable for us.”
The fullback said the inclusion of their captain was a massive in and a significant factor in their emphatic win.
“Getting Lippy (Haydan Lipp) back was a huge in for us,” he said.
‘We’ve been a bit sporadic the last few weeks without him, so with him back we were a lot more relaxed.
“He got us around the park really well, and that then allowed us to rip in and complete our sets.
“I think we’re in a good place at the moment, and once we start completing our sets at a higher rate we’ll be tough to beat come the finals.”
TOP PERFORMERS
GATTON
Luke Self (Bill and Stephen Pollard Family medallist)
Self had an absolute worldie at fullback, scoring two long-range tries and making incredible goal line defensive tackles throughout the match in his side’s triumphant victory.
Sione Foueti
Possessing an almighty fend, the number 11 was the best forward on the field. His ability to hit a hole and make good metreage kept Gatton’s pack rolling all game.
Haydan Lipp (captain)
The veteran five-eighth put together another very impressive 80 minutes, guiding his side around the park to near perfection. As a just reward for his efforts he bagged a try and kicked four from the spot.
VALLEYS
Hugh Sedger
While the lock tried his best to get some sort of attack going he was most impressive in his defensive efforts, making two very gutsy last-man tackles in his own end after his side was caught out of position.
Alexander Hinch
While his side struggled to put any real attacking threats together, Hinch still came away with a late try in the second half.
Junior Chong-Nee
Valleys best forward on the night, the prop did everything he could to get his side some sort of attacking edge through his courageous carries and crunching tackles.
RESERVE-GRADE
Only four points separated Dalby and Wattles in their President’s Cup clash at the weekend, with the lead changing five times during the match.
In a contest that saw both teams give it their all, Dalby came away with a courageous 16-12 win.
With the first points not coming until the 30th minute, neither side seemed to be in complete control at any stage.
The Diehards crossed for their third try of the match in the 61st, and spent the remaining nine minutes in their own end, defending set after set until the final whistle.
Dalby’s fullback and captain Travis Babbington was supremely impressed with his side’s efforts, and praised their determination throughout the 70 minutes.
“We were defending on our own (goal) line for about the last five or so minutes, but we managed to keep them out and get the win,” Babbington said.
“Wattles were really tough.
“They made us fight for it until the very end and I mean that.
“I honestly believe that we came away with the win today because of our hard work and our want to play for each other.”
The fullback also made sure to thank the efforts of the under-19s that pulled on the jersey and were instrumental in the win.
“A big shout-out to the boys that came up from the 19s and played for us,” he said.
“Unfortunately they had a loss, but they came in and stepped up for us, so I just want them to know that their efforts didn’t go unnoticed.
“We’re a close bunch of blokes that turn up for each other week-in and week-out and we proved again today that we’re a good footy side.”
TOP PERFORMERS
DALBY
Travis Babbington (captain and Player of the Match)
A true captain’s knock, Babbington was the difference between the two sides. The fullback made a number of line breaks that resulted in tries the following sets. He also made half-a-dozen try saving tackles, holding up much bigger men on the goal line.
Broc Turner
Described by his captain as the difference maker, the veteran second rower was in everything. Taking multiple carries in a set, gaining crucial post contact metres and constantly playing with a positive, attacking mindset, Turner was invaluable.
Jed Bryers
The halfback put together a very tidy performance. Making some deft kicks and providing good, accurate service, Bryers kept the side calm when the heat was on.
WATTLES
Joesph Willet
The fullback was very solid in defence, making timely tackles and picking up the loose ball on a few occasions. He also put on a couple of nice right-foot steps in attack that bamboozled Dalby’s line.
Warren Draper
On the wing, Draper put together a very solid performance and was unlucky to be kept to just the one try. His pace plagued Dalby’s backline all night.
Jordan Henry (captain)
The number 12 was the heart and soul of the side in their narrow loss. The captain was relentless in attacking sets and scored a try for his efforts.
WOMEN
The Hawks women produced arguably the match of the day holding off a determined Oakey Bears 14-8.
The President’s Cup clash was keenly contested with both sides showing plenty of skill, passion and a willingness to battle.
Hawks’ captain and powerhouse Kimberly Dore put her side’s win down to the heart and experience of her team.
“Heart and a lot of experience I think are the two things that got us over the line,” Dore said.
“It’s not the first time that we’ve been in this competition and we knew that it would go the full 60 minutes.
“We all knew that we just had to hang in there and trust one another.
“We have a number of experienced players, and it’s a cliche, but having that experience really does help in those pressure moments.”
The captain praised her teammates’ tenacity and willingness to fight until the final whistle, but conceded they didn’t make it easy for themselves.
“It took us quite a while to score our first try so we didn’t do ourselves any favours, or made the game easier on ourselves,” she said.
TOP PERFORMERS
GATTON
Kimberly Dore (captain)
A second-rower that masquerades as a back, the captain scored the opening try of the game through hitting a line and breaking tackles. Her leadership and positive chat were crucial in getting her team over the line.
Bonnie Zappa (Player of the Match)
The under-19s Women’s Clydesdales player was electric for the full 60 minutes. The hooker’s near pinpoint accurate service, her ability to put a runner through a hole and seemingly in every contest, Zappa was a deserved winner of the POTM award.
Ashlea Nolan
The prop made a number of barnstorming runs out of her own end, with one ending up in a beauty of a try, that saw Nolan offload to the supporting Natalia Webb for their third try of the game.
OAKEY
Antonia Vito
The centre was brutal throughout the match, putting on some big shots in defence and making a number of runs, palming off defensive efforts through a strong fend.
Elaina Saluni
The prop was undeniably Oakey’s best on ground. From right footed steps to throwing dummies, to taking kick-offs and needing five opponents to take her to ground, Saluni was a definite crowd favourite. She also bagged a try for her efforts.
Clarissa Janes
The centre was impressive, inspirational throughout the game. Janes was also damaging on the attacking side of the field, crossing for a try in the second half.
UNDER 19s
Keeping their undefeated season alive, Valleys Roosters finished four point victors after their epic clash with Dalby Diehards.
In a 26-22 scoreline, the Roosters again proved they’re the benchmark side this season.
“We’re a really tight-knit group and I think that actually helped us a lot today,” Valleys fullback and Western Clydesdales Mal Meninga Cup captain Matthew Moore said.
“We’ve been working really hard all season on our defence and our defensive shapes, our line speed and our first contact.
“But at the end of the day it comes down to effort and we showed up.”
The fullback heaped praise on his big men upfront, explaining how their efforts set up the side’s attacking raids.
“Our forwards a re all such good line runners and we talked about using them pre-game,” he said.
“We hit short first, allowing them to break holes, which meant we (backs) could then go out the back, playing off that shape.”
Moore said that the win was not an easy one, explaining that throughout the course of the game, both sides struggled to maintain momentum.
“Momentum was really wild in this game, it felt like it would flip on it’s head after each try, so it was difficult to be in complete control but at the end of the day we stuck to the plan and came away with the win,” he said.
TOP PERFORMERS
VALLEYS
Mitchel Clem
The towering second-rower was a constant threat with the ball. While tall in stature, Clem proved he also had wheels, catching Dalby’s defence off guard on a number of occasions, and bagging two tries in the win.
Jacob Robinson (Player of the Match)
Marshalling his side around the ground, Robinson proved great service out of the halves and threw in a few crafty kicks in attacking sets.
Thomas Fenwick
The lock was huge on both sides of the ball. He frequently made crushing tackles in defence and had a handful of key breaks, that lead to tries.
DALBY
Brayden Falvey (captain)
Falvey lead his team through his actions. Making a number of goal line try-saving tackles and taking tough carries out of his own 20, the fullback also was responsible for a couple of his side’s tries.
Bailey Rathmell
Arguably Dalby’s best, the second-rower was practically unstoppable through the middle of the park. Rathmell then backed up, coming off the bench for the reserve’s in their four point victory.
Joseph Gillett
Wreaking havoc through the middle with his fellow second-rower (Rathmell) Gillet also made a number of damaging runs, and link plays leading to points.
PHOTOS FROM THE GAMES
A-GRADE
RESERVE-GRADE
WOMEN
UNDER 19s
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