Final five set as Gatton crash out
Photo: Nev Madsen
RUGBY LEAGUE: Gatton’s bid to keep their hopes of a finals spot alive have ended after going down 36-14 to Warwick at Father Ranger Oval. Needing a win to cut the margin between fifth and sixth to four points, Gatton started in the best possible fashion through a dashing second minute try to livewire Daniel Jennings. That would prove to be their only lead of the match, as the Cowboys found their groove shortly after, as Joe Fuimaono scored two in the space of four minutes to give them the advantage. Both sides traded tries leading up to the break, and Jennings’ second try had Gatton within six early in the second half. Warwick shut the door on any
chance of a Gatton victory however, as Fuimaono’s fourth kept the Hawks at bay.
Dylan Galloway and Mick Bloomfield iced the game with two quick tries in three minutes to stretch the lead beyond three converted tries.
Cowboys coach Phil Economidis was pleased with the defensive starch showed by his men, as they held a desperate Gatton side to just one second half try.
“Their season was on the line and they had plenty to play for,” Economidis said.
“They weren’t going to roll over. I was really proud of our effort. When their backs are to the wall they keep punching and never give up.
“Under the circumstances last night and the importance of the outcome I thought they were fantastic.
“Dylan Galloway got the game ball, and Joe was certainly up there as well.”
Warwick currently sit in fifth, tied with Highfields on competition points and a further two behind Dalby in third.
With just two games remaining it is going to be hard for the Cowboys to work their way into third with an inferior for and against, however Economidis is focused on making a finals run from wherever they finish.
“That game cemented the topfive for us now. We’re not under any pressure going into the finals now,” he said.
“We want to work on improving our team game. We’re not relying on winning the last two.
“We’d rather fly under the radar now until the semi finals.”
Warwick has the bye this weekend, before facing Valleys at Herb Steinohrt Oval the following week.