Valleys notch their 100 in style
YEAR IN REVIEW: Chronicle looks back at the year that was
sean.teuma@thechronicle.com.au
RUGBY LEAGUE:
As the Toowoomba Rugby League celebrated its centenary season, the on-field product matched the occasion.
The year saw some spectacular contests, big games coming to the region, and one of our most promising players making the move closer to home to start afresh.
10. Intrust Super Cup comes to Pittsworth
Pittsworth was rewarded for its top-class facilities and willingness to have a go, with the Intrust Super Cup rolling into town for Country Week. The packed stands were a sight to behold throughout the afternoon, as the Danes produced one of their best Agrade efforts of the year to down Highfields prior to the main event.
9. Southern Suburbs ends losing streak
Winless in 2018, the Tigers showed they weren’t far away with a narrow defeat in the season opener to Oakey. Just a week later, they put an end to their 598-day losing streak by taking down Brothers at Glenholme Park. It turned out to be the start of a resurgent year that saw them claim six wins in 2019.
8. Simpkin signs with the Tigers 7. Croft moves closer to home
Southern Suburbs junior Jake Simpkin continued his promising career at WynnumManly by making the leap from U18s to U20s, and collecting another Queensland U18s jersey in the process. With Robbie Farah retiring, the Wests Tigers started planning for the future, having snapped up Simpkin on a three-year deal.
After playing out the majority of the season with the Storm, Croft was sensationally dropped prior to the finals. His future with Melbourne appeared shaky from that point on, with him ultimately being given a release. Brisbane have since signed the Highfields junior, in a move that brings Croft closer to home and with a guaranteed starting role.
6. Mustangs ISC dream within reach
The Western Mustangs bid to return to the Intrust Super Cup gathered momentum throughout the year, including the announcement of a new board and the decision to move home games from Gold Park to Clive Berghofer Stadium in 2020. They’re kicking goals on the field and continuing to meet the criteria of the QRL.
5. Warwick’s semi final comeback for the ages
It was dubbed Super Sunday, but with delays throughout the day, games went well into the night. It seemed as though Warwick had fallen asleep in its qualifying final against Valleys, down 24-4 at the start of the second half. They eventually woke up, producing a barnstorming finish to take a 26-24 victory.
4. Armstrong in seventh heaven
David Armstrong forever etched his name in the TRL record books after his seven-try effort at Gilbert Oval against Oakey. The fullback with blistering pace was on song and recorded a feat that I doubt will be seen again for a long, long time. The young man from Goondiwindi is one to keep an eye on in the years to come.
3. Clydesdales dominate at carnival
The Toowoomba Clydesdales were at their dominant best in the 47th Battalion, sweeping all before them and capping the weekend off with a commanding 20-6 win over Sunshine Coast. An incredible seven players were chosen to represent the Central Crows as a result of the carnival, with Cory McGrady going on to represent the Queensland Rangers.
2. Wattles claim MadsenRasmussen
You’d think it would get stale with how many times Wattles and Valleys have faced off in recent times, but they again turned it on for the midseason silverware. The Warriors finally got one back over their rivals in a breathtaking Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy final, staunchly holding out a late Valleys charge to get over the line.
1. Valleys go back to back
It won’t go down in the history books as a classic grand final, but for the Valleys club it was the best centenary present they could’ve asked for. Finding themselves down at halftime, the Roosters fought back with a key stretch that put Warwick to the sword, giving them their 36th A-grade title in a year they won’t forget anytime soon.