MUSWELLBROOK Rams fought off Singleton’s first-half challenge to dominate the second half and win their Aplus Contracting Hunter Valley Group 21 Under 18 Grand Final 30-14 at Olympic Park, Muswellbrook on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Paul Benkovic-coached side gave their homes supporters plenty to cheer about with a fine victory.
Captain and fullback, Bailey Taylor, who kicked five goals, was named player of the match.
An electrifying young talent the 16-year-old Muswellbrook High school student has another year to play in the juniors too.
“I’d like to thank all our players and Benko (coach Paul Benkovic) especially,” Bailey said at the presentation ceremony.
Paul Benkovic was delighted for his large squad.
“We started with 27 and finished with 27,” he said after the victory.
‘They are all absolutely brilliant. They are all mates and most of them have played together in our junior league for many years.
“It was a gutsy effort too, we weren’t on the right side of the penalties in the first half but they all dug in deep.”
Muswellbrook Rugby League Football Club president Kurt Dial was delighted for the teenage side.
But we’ve had a lot of success in the Under 18’s over many years.
“Probably played in the last 10 or 12 grand finals. Don’t know how many we’ve won but it’s a few.
“And this year’s side are a great bunch of kids and Benko and Barnsie (assistant coach Mick Barnes) have been great too.”