TRL preliminaries this weekend

Despite only losing one fixture match this season Wattles now find themselves having to do it the hard way to get to the TRL grand final. They face a sudden death playoff against the in-form Highfields Eagles after their loss to arch rivals Valleys in a thrilling Major Semi Final at Glenholme Park.

In a game worthy of any grand final Valleys booked a place in the TRL big dance for the first time in six years. It was a match that had everything both sides showed they were prepared to put their bodies on the line.

It was full of twists and turns and had the big crowd involved and on the edge of their seats and on their feet as momentum swung from one team to the other.

Valleys Captain Coach Brett Seymour showed his sides intentions early in the game when he nailed a 35 metre penalty kick to take a 2-0 lead.

There was desperate defence from both sides and some sensational attacking raids. The opening try of the game came when Wattles Ty Gardner scored what looked to be a soft try. Matt Duggan added the extras and a 6-2 lead.

Valleys picked up another penalty and added two points to narrow the gap to 6-4. Little did anyone realise how important the decision to take those two penalty goals would be.

The momentum swung Valleys way and with it the lead when winger Matt Hawkins scored.

As the half time siren sounded Wattles winger Braydon Wilson scored a spectacular try in the corner to send his team to the break up 10-8. It was the try of the match.

In the second half it was more of the same with neither side taking their foot off the pedal. Duggan and Burns led from the front for Wattles as they tried in vain to crack the determined Roosters defence.

It was 18 year old Rooster, Richard Murray who broke the deadlock. He scored after some great work by player of the match Corey McGrady to give the lead back to Valleys (12-10)

Wattles weren’t done with, but it was McGrady who scored to give Valleys an 18-10 lead with 20 minutes remaining.

Duggan and Burns showed all of their experience as they battled to get Wattles over the line. Finally there was reward for the effort when centre Nick Van Der Pool got the Warriors within two points.

In the final minutes, the game was still being played at a cracking pace as Wattles threw everything at the opposition.

Valleys were reduced to 12 men after Hugh Sedger was sent from the field for off for back-chatting the referee.

Wattles made one last raid downfield as the full time siren sounded but when the final pass went to ground Valleys had held on to win a corker 18-16.

After the game Wattles coach Travis Burns admitted that mistakes and the failure to take advantage of opportunities along with inexperience in finals footy had cost his side the game. He said he believed there were some good lessons his side will take into this weekends must win clash against the Eagles.

Highfields Eagles blew the 2017 premiers Dalby off the park with a 42-0 nil win in knock out semi-final.

It sets up what will be an intriguing Preliminary Final this Sunday between Wattles and Highfields.

Valleys 18 (Matt Hawkins, Richard Murray, Corey McGrady tries Brett Seymour 3 goal) defeated Wattles 16 (Ty Gardner, Braydon Wilson, Nick Van Der Pool tries Matt Duggan 2 goals).