DUNGOWAN earned a rematch with North Tamworth when the Cowgirls shut out Gunnedah 18-nil in their league tag preliminary final at Werris Creek on Saturday.
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The final also announced an exciting young talent in Dungowan teenager Jada Taylor, who made her debut a special day for Dungowan, scoring all three tries.
The just-turned 16-year-old scored two brilliant long-range tries in the first half and then a short range, jinking try seven minutes into the second half to seal the win.
Emma Carrigan converted all three tries.
"She only turned 16 on August 14," said Taylor's father and Dungowan coach Luke Taylor of the rule enabling girls to play LLT only after turning 16.
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"[She] hadn't been able to play until then and then she had a couple of weeks away in the school holidays. She's been hanging out to play for a long while."
Her first try was an outstanding effort, beating tags initially and then running 60m to score the opening try.
Her second try was even better, albeit about 10m shorter, but involving at least four or five swivels and steps to beat players before launching a 40m burst to the tryline. It might have been one of the tries of the year in any Group 4 game.
Her third try sealed the game, in what was an emotional time for Taylor and her teammates.
Luke Taylor was delighted with the even display of his side as well.
"We defended well," he said. "Put ourselves under a lot of pressure, gave away a lot of penalties."
The Cowgirls had two players sin-binned in the second half and refused to bend.
"I thought they all played pretty well," Taylor added. "We didn't have any real standouts but [it has] been like it all year.
"I was only talking to club officials this week and how hard it's been to pick award winners."
He thought Alina Swan did well, coming back from her sin-binning with "the right attitude".
"Ellie New was always dangerous and Paris Knox too," he added.
He said the side "deserved" a rematch against North Tamworth in this Saturday's grand final.
"It's going to be tough but we will give it a good crack," he said. "At the end of the day they deserve to be there."
Gunnedah coach Wayne Griffiths wished them all the best. "They were too good for us today," he said.
"We've had a good year though. They (Gunnedah) are a good side. They all played well too. Bec Jenkins, Jacqui Jones were great but they all stepped up. We're pleased with their season."
Dungowan, he said, "have been there all year". "Keep turning up and turning up and have great coaching staff."
Dungowan 18 (Jada Taylor 3 tries; Emma Carrigan 3 goals) d Gunnedah 0
