By Jon Geddes

WARRINGAH hooker Wes Thomas has paid an emotional tribute to his teammates as he celebrated a memorable 100th grade game for the club in their 26-13 win over Randwick at Narrabeen on Saturday.

The powerhouse 26-year-old capped a standout performance by scoring one try and giving the final pass for another in what was a high-quality clash  between two well-drilled outfits.

Looking around at the other players in a jubilant Rat Park home dressing room, Thomas revealed the special bond he shares with them gave the  milestone extra meaning.

“They are my family and I love coming here every week,” he said. “The boys are my brothers and always pushing me.

“I love this club, I played Colts here,” said Thomas, who grew up in Rats territory at Dee Why.

‘LUCKY AND SHOCKED’ 

THOMAS scored his try in the first half with an incisive sprint after peeling off a rolling maul and after the break slipped a beautiful pass in traffic for centre Komiti Tuilagi to cross for a crucial five-pointer.

But looking at those two big plays, the self-effacing forward said he was just lucky.    

As for becoming a centurion, Thomas admitted it had come around quickly.

“I was shocked when they told me it was going to be my 100th game,” he revealed. “I was excited when I was told I was going to lead the boys out and it was even better to get the win. 

“We had a good week at training and we just stuck at it.”

Adding to the occasion Thomas’s two biggest fans – partner Jade and four-year-old daughter Aloha- were in the crowd to witness what will always be a  big moment in his playing career.              

Rats head coach Josh Holmes described his former teammate as a No.8 playing hooker.

“He was awesome in the contact zone, his set piece was good and he’s an athlete,” Holmes said. “He’s got himself in great shape over the last few years and now he is reaping the rewards.”

Thomas still aspires to play at a higher level and it would be interesting to watch his game develop in a Super Rugby environment.

“I just keep chipping away at my game and hopefully something comes,” he said.  

OH BROTHER, WHAT A COMBINATION

The game was a terrific advertisement for the Shute Shield competition.

Whilst it is still very early days, based on Saturday’s clash, both teams are on track to be in the thick of the action at the business end of the season.

Holmes described his side’s effort against a quality opposition as outstanding as they stuck to the game plan for 80 minutes to get the result. .

“They (Randwick) are a very good team and I was very proud of the boys today,” he said.

Warringah’s backrow brothers Jake and Zac Barnabas caused double trouble when on the field together on Saturday.

“It just showed how powerful they can be on the field at once,” Holmes said.    

 And Rats’  five-eighth Coby Miln was not fazed by the  pressure of playing against his former club for the first time.

“He’s got a very calm head on his shoulders and doesn’t really buy into that stuff too much,” Holmes  said.

“This week he just seemed really calm, he knew what they were going to throw at him.

“He had a really good understanding of what their DNA is and let us in on some things that they did last year and focussed on.

“I think the guy could take the next step very easily and he is a real X-factor for us.”

On Saturday Warringah play Eastwood at TG Millner, while Randwick take on Sydney University at Coogee.