Home-town pride hits high note

Getting ready for ''the big dance'' this Sunday...the Cowboys at a training run at Father Ranger Oval. (Photo - Jeremy Sollars).

By Casey O'Connor

Since joining the Toowoomba Rugby League competition in 1986 the Warwick Cowboys have lifted the TRL Premiership trophy only once – and that was in 1988.

This Sunday marks only the Cowboys’ fourth Grand Final appearance, and the 2019 team will be out to replicate the glory days of 1988 when they meet minor premiers Valleys in the Grand Final.

In 1987, a year after joining the TRL competition, the Cowboys made their first grand final appearance but finished runners-up to All Whites (now Brothers).

After tasting premiership success the following season in 1986, the club had to wait until 2016 before making their next pitch for the premiership.

On that occasion, after an 80-minute slog in wet and slippery conditions, the Cowboys went down 26-22 to the Pittsworth Danes.

Several of the Cowboys’ players involved in that game pull on the jersey this weekend and are determined to go one better on 2019.

Cowboys Vice President Danny Lyons said this there has been “a groundswell of support building for the boys since their win over Valleys two weeks ago”.

“We are expecting to see plenty of Cowboys fans and many of the Warwick Old Boys – even some of the 1986 premiership team – at Clive Berghofer Stadium on Sunday,” Lyons said.

“A win on Sunday will mean a lot not only the playing group but also the Old Boys who have been waiting a long time to celebrate another premiership win.

“There has already been a big demand for supporters t-shirts and the Warwick community is right behind this team.

“People have been jumping on board offering sponsorship in a variety of different ways to support the boys in their grand-final campaign.”

At a time when there is a lot of doom and gloom around because of the ongoing drought, a win on Sunday will provide a much-needed shot in the arm for Warwick and the Southern Downs district.