Watch out, Danes: Wattles ready for battle
WATTLES Warriors coach Travis Burns said his first grade side had the goods to finish ahead of the Pittsworth Danes in Sunday's Toowoomba Rugby League round seven clash.
The Wattles are perched in second place on the TRL Hutchinson Builders top grade premiership ladder and will go into the match with a full- strength line-up.
After a grinding out a tough 16-12 win over Highfields in their last start, a Warriors victory on Sunday would be three from their last three, and further cement their hold on second place on the ladder.
Pittsworth is eighth on the ladder and coming off a 16-30 loss to premiership leaders the Valleys at their last outing.
Toowoomba representative centre Jake Hargreaves was a concern for the Wattles hierarchy after injuring a thumb in last weekend's Central Division 47th Battalion Carnival.
The injury had him excluded from the carnival final, but coach Burns said he was fully fit for the Pittsworth trip.
The Wattles coach has had to make some tough calls this week as far as settling on his A Grade line-up.
"We are in a position of having many players in fine form currently all vying for first- grade spots,” Burns said.
Wattles have former Canterbury Bulldogs lower grade hooker forward Mark Gordon returning from injury and former Ipswich Jets utility player Nathan Gaulton returning after a suspension.
Both players will add ability and experience and they will both come off the Wattles bench at Pittsworth.
"While we have some very handy players in our ranks, depth is our great strength at the moment,” Burns said.
"Both our A Grade and Reserve Grade sides are more than competitive currently, it's a great feeling having quality players to call in if needed.”
The Wattles mentor, who has been in impressive form himself in recent weeks, has his side focused on a win at all costs against the Danes.
"It's a tough outing but one we can win, but we need to be on top of our ball security issues and complete our sets, we just need to keep it simple,” Burns said.
Sunday's program at Pittsworth kicks off at 10.10am with the second division clash between Stanthorpe and Pittsworth followed by Wattles verses Pittsworth in Under 18s at 11.30 am.
Reserve Grade starts at 1pm and A Grade at 2.30pm.