Farrer Green’s Hayden Loughrey runs away from Jayden Taylor in the under 14s grand final. 080912GRA02
FARRER was on its way to a clean sweep of the North West Group 4 grand finals in Tamworth on Saturday before West Lions went on a try feast in the under 13s decider.
The day began with the under 15s and there was no stopping Farrer in that one.
The green and golds won a fiery clash 40-4.
“We’ve been strong all year,” coach Lindsay Johnston said.
“But Norths were competitive. They don’t have the numbers to choose from that we have.
“We played well, played to a pattern.”
The Farrer big men led the way.
Props Brad Johnston and Zac Faulkner both scored two tries, as did little half Tom Say.
“The nucleus has been together for a few years,” Lindsay Johnston said.
“The future looks bright for Farrer in the first XIII.
“Cory Manicaros led them as captain.
“The front rowers were good and laid the platform.
“Brad Johnston and Zac Faulkner and Mitch Parker laid the foundation and Ryan Horton and Isaac Laird followed up.
“Then the backs like Tom Say, Tye Barry and Matt Thompson all did their part.”
The under 14s grand final was an all-Farrer affair but the result didn’t go as expected.
Farrer Green was underdog against Farrer Gold but turned the tables and won 20-4.
“The Gold side have been stronger this year,” Green coach Clint Gallagher said.
“The last time we met they won pretty convincingly.
“Then they won the major semi and we had to come from third place and beat West to make the grand final.
“It wasn’t the way it was expected to go.”
Cameron Howard scored first for the Greens and Hayden Loughrey made a piercing run to make it 10-nil.
Gavin Anderson said.
“Josh Austin was superb and helped create space for Ethan Parry, Isaah Milgate, Jack Anderson and Dewayne Nicholls.”
Anderson said Farrer Green was a good side and the two teams had a healthy respect for each other throughout the season.
From there the Green side was never headed.
“It got their confidence up I think,” Gallagher said.
“Once they had the confidence we got on a roll.
“They have some very good players, dangerous players, but we kept going all day and defended well.”
James Fisk eventually got one back for the Golds but it wasn’t enough.
Tom Maples and Andrew Friend also crossed for the winners.
“Cameron Howard was our best player,” Gallagher said.
“He was strong in attack and defence.
“Hayden Loughrey was excellent, saved a few tries and chimed into the backline well.
“The bottom line is the forwards played very hard and were exhausted at the end.”
Farrer was going for a clean sweep when the under 13s started but West soon blew those hopes away.
Ethan Parry and Isaah Milgate both scored four tries in a 56-4 rout.
“They beat us in the major semi and I think that made everyone get to training and work hard,” West Lions coach