AFTER dispatching Madsen Rasmussen Trophy winners Souths last week and claiming a share of the third-place rung on the TRL ladder, the Wattles Warriors survived a reality check at Platz Oval on Saturday evening when they defeated the Warwick Cowboys 42-22.

It was anything but one-sided regardless of the scoreboard, with the Cowboys looking the better side in the first half.

Wattles winger Tim Hentschel fielded a Ryan Duggan kick to score as the half-time siren sounded to level the ledger at 18-all.

Wattles coach Luke Duggan was impressed with Warwick's performance.

"They really came to compete and gave us a tough 80 minutes of footy," he said.

The Cowboy's ball control was of a high standard, limiting the amount of ball and field position for the Wattles.

The Wattles took an early lead after seven minutes when centre Joel Koina touched down, but the Cowboys cashed in on field position twice to snatch a 12-6 lead midway through the opening half of the local derby, winger Donald Miller and Pat Cameron claiming tries.

Wattles fullback Jackson Green levelled the scores soon after, but Warwick were well up to the task with electric centre Mitchell Small scoring to see the Cowboys lead 18-12 eight minutes from the break.

Warwick was in the points soon after resumption when centre Ben Carter chased down a Paul Cantwell chip kick to give his side the lead.

Some classy lead-up work by Jackson Green and Tim Hentschel paved the way for halfback Matt Duggan to dummy and slice through and have the Wattles edge ahead 24-22. Wattles broke free of the shackles and ran in three further second-half tries by Mitch Koina, Kim Phoenix and another to Hentschel.

The home side defended desperately, often off their own line in the later stages of the second half, Warwick applying enormous pressure that went without reward.

Matt Duggan was a key component in the result, demonstrating why he has racked up 120 points after eight matches. Fullback Jackson Green was also among the Wattles' best, but the forward clash was dynamic. Garry Ellery was one of a number of outstanding Cowboys forwards while halfback Ryan McIvor gave his side lots of opportunities.

The Cowboys were leading 12-6 in reserve grade when the match was called off after 53 minutes due to Warwick player and try scorer Warren McConville being taken to hospital. He is expected to be released today after suffering neck ligament damage.

Warwick won 26-10 in under 18s.

Scores

Wattles - 42 (Tim Hentschel 2, Jackson Green, Joel Koina, Matt Duggan, Kim Phoenix, Mitch Koina tries; Matt Duggan 7 goals)

Warwick - 22 (Donald Miller, Mitchell Small, Ben Carter, Pat Cameron tries; Garth Miller 3 goals).