By Candyce Grew and Jess Baker
Windy, freezing conditions at Father Ranger Oval on Sunday saw all three Warwick Cowboys sides triumph against the Pittsworth Danes.
On a soggy field, Warwick Cowboys A Grade coach Matt Grew said his team had another “tough win”, beating Pittsworth 30-26.
“We got out to an early lead, but through fundamental errors, we let Pittsworth back into the game,” Grew said.
“We then had to try hard to get the momentum back to come away with the win.”
Grew said he was “really pleased” with the first 25 minutes of the game.
“We had a high completion rate and led 18 nil before we slipped back into old habits,” he said.
“Kieran Fender had his best game of the season, showing some real aggression with his defence and Dylan Galloway was again good out wide in the centres, bagging himself a double.
“Co-captain Sam Broomball had another captain’s knock, earning himself the Ranbuild Warwick / Dominos Best Forward for the day and young winger Jake Speed was awarded Best Back for his efforts.
“Kieran Fender also received the Players’ Player award.”
The Warwick Cowboys Reggies side also had a spectacular win against the Danes, 46-14.
With only a month until finals and seven teams in contention for the top five, coach Aaron McVeigh said a win against the Danes was vital for their aspirations in the back end of the season.
“Early on it was evident that the conditions were going to play a major part in the game, with Pittsworth kicking two 40/20s shortly after we’d crossed for our first try,” McVeigh said.
“They were able to make the most of these opportunities as well as a try from a clever chip and chase to really gain the ascendancy midway through the first half.
“A couple of unforced errors from the Danes late in the first half allowed us the opportunity to head into half time with a lead which we were able to make the most of.
McVeigh said they went into the second half “well aware” that if they could control the ball and play simple football, they would use the conditions to lean the game into their favour.
“This is exactly what we were able to accomplish, running in five unanswered tries to finish 46-14 winners,” he said.
Captain Morgan Taylor earned the Ranbuild Warwick / Dominos Best Forward honours, and the Best Back and Players’ Player award went to Jordyn Hogden.
The Warwick Cowboys Under 18s also defeated the Danes 28-14.
Under 18s manager Joe McIvor said it was a good defensive game, with Jack McMeniman and Jacob Duff the standout players.
“It was a tight game. We were sixth on the ladder and they were one behind us, so it was tight the whole game really,“ McIvor said.
McIvor said he was confident the Under 18s would win their final three games and make it to the finals.
The Warwick Cowboys will play the Newtown Lions this Sunday at Father Ranger Oval, with Reserve Grade playing at 1pm, A Grade from 2.30pm, and Womens from 4pm. The Warwick Cowboys Under 18s will play South Burnett at 11.30am.
