Moree was too good for Tamworth in the U18s grand final. Photo: Barry Smith 150912BSB36
MOREE was the best team throughout the season and confirmed that with the U18s’ title at Walcha on Saturday.
The Bulls/Farrer combination was too good for Tamworth in the decider, running out 44-15 winners.
They blitzed the Magpies in the first half, scoring four unanswered tries for a 29-3 lead at the break.
The Magpies scored first points through the boot of George Rixon but from there the Bulls dominated, with hooker Michael Carr scoring off a good pick and drive, and then prop Richard Hunt crossing off a good break from centre Hayden Sweeney in a matter of minutes to put them firmly on the front foot.
“We came out firing,” Bulls coach Kylie Dawson said.
“The first couple of minutes were a bit shaky but then they got their legs and the forwards got their momentum going.”
She said they always knew they’d be able to score points if the forwards set the platform.
“We talked about moving their forwards from left to right and we did that,” Dawson said.
“We moved the ball very quickly and rehashed the ball quickly.
“And the boys finished it off in the backline like they do.”
The Magpies forwards were the threat but they shut them down and, unlike two weeks ago, put it together for the 70 minutes.
The second half was a more even contest, with the Magpies getting more possession and territory but the result was never in question, with the Bulls backs cutting them apart.
All of their second-half tries were scored by backs and two of them were from breakouts around half way.
Sweeney had a huge game at inside centre and was adjudged the player of the grand final.
Most of the side were backing up from playing in the State Schoolboys Sevens Final the day before with Farrer.
They finished fourth, going down to Hills Sports High 24-19 in the semi-finals.
Still, it was a good effort and they had five players’ talent identified – Rory Simpson, Zeb Buchanan, John Porch, David Jenkins and Dan Boland.
Magpies coach Damian Henry said they were beaten by a better side but they didn’t do themselves any favours.
“I don’t think we could have made any more mistakes than we made,” Henry said.
“It started from the kick-off. We kicked out on the full.”
From there they struggled to get any parity.
“They starved us of the ball,” Henry said.
“They recycled the ball well and any ball we got they slowed down.”
“They didn’t allow us to get into our patterns of play.”
They also controlled the Magpies forwards well.
“Our forwards have been dominant all year but they shut us down. They didn’t let us get a roll-on therefore the backs didn’t get any room,” Henry said.
Callum McIntosh, Alex Hosken and Josh Wall were the best of the forwards while Nathaniel Slater was their best back.