Last-ditch intercept from Chris Woodbridge guides Clydesdales to Mackay upset

The Toowoomba Clydesdales are into the final of the XXXX League Championship after last-ditch heroics from Chris Woodbridge

BRISBANE BOUND: The Toowoomba Clydesdales celebrate their win over Mackay. Photo: Cameron Stallard/QRL Media

RUGBY LEAGUE: The Toowoomba Clydesdales will have the chance to solidify their place as the best A-grade team in Queensland.

The side comprised of TRL players is into the final of the XXXX League Championship after defeating Mackay 28-24 in Mackay on Saturday night.

Looking destined for defeat with a 24-22 deficit and just three minutes remaining, a piece of individual brilliance from Pittsworth young gun Chris Woodbridge gave the Clydesdales an unlikely win.

Mackay was tackled just metres out from Toowoomba’s goal line, before Woodbridge sprinted off the line to take an intercept, running the length of the field to secure the win for the Clydesdales.

It capped off what was an incredible 80 minutes of football, wit multiple lead changes across the evening.

Dalby’s Danny Wassell spotted a gap close to the line, scooting over from dummy half to open the scoring in the 18th minute.

They made it 10-0 just moments later as Warwick’s Craig Donn put Cowboys teammate Mitch Watson into a gaping hole.

Wassell was again in the thick of things, putting in a grubber close to the line, which was dived upon by Valleys enforcer James Tutuila to give them a 16-8 lead at the break.

Mackay hit back with two quick tries to take their first lead of the game inside 50 minutes.

With time winding down, a lovely short ball from Blake Mara helped Wattles second rower Ty Gardner find the line and tie up proceedings with less than 10 minutes to play.

TRL chairman Rex Zeeman travelled with the team, and said it was a gutsy performance after being left with no reserves late in the game.

“Everyone was very relieved,” Zeeman said.

“We had no one on the bench with four injuries, so we couldn’t have gone on much longer.

“For Chris to get the intercept and seal the match was fantastic. We’re thrilled to get to the next round where we hope to do it all again.”

Zeeman said the team played with plenty of pride in the Toowoomba jersey.

“All of the obstacles were in front of us, not them,” he said

“The blokes playing wanted to be there, and they played with plenty of pride in the jersey.

“To pull off a win like that, it should mean a lot to Toowoomba, and we’re hellbent on going down and beating Brisbane Blue.”

The win catapults the Clydesdales into the final against Brisbane Blue next month, and Zeeman said they are determined to continue their winning run.

“There’s five weeks until the next game, so I’ll sit down with (coach) Luke Duggan and chat about what he wants to do squad wise,” he said.

“We’re all very loyal, and we had a group that went there against all odds.

“Injuries can play a part, but there’s a lot of footy to be played between now and then.”