Gladstone Ringers win Warba Wangarunya Rugby League Carnival U17 boys final
The under-17 boys champions overcame plenty of adversity to hoist the trophy at the Warba Wangarunya Rugby League Carnival in Rockhampton. Read how the two junior finals played out very differently.
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It was a true heart and guts performance from the Gladstone Ringers as they claimed the under-17 boys division at the Warba Wangarunya Rugby League Carnival.
With their bench looking more like a hospital emergency ward, they managed to conjure up a spectacular 32-8 win over the Woorabinda Warriors in Friday afternoon’s grand final at Rockhampton’s Saleyards Park.
Their star prop Gavin Wilson-Tyers scored a hat-trick, capping the outstanding form that earned him the Player of the Carnival award.
Coach Mick Ghee was thrilled with the result.
“Awesome win,” he exclaimed, as he and his team headed for the trophy presentation.
“We only put this side together six months ago and the boys were just unreal.
“We all said we’re not a one-man team, we’re all in this and they all did what they had to do.”
The Ringers started the carnival with 20 players on Thursday morning but injury and the searing heat took their toll, meaning they went into the decider with the bare 13 players.
See the photos from day one of the carnival here
Ghee applauded his team’s courage as player numbers dwindled as the carnival went on.
“We had a broken ankle, a broken thumb, a few head collisions and dehydration as well,” he said.
“We only had 13 players in that final but the boys just stuck in.
“They showed so much heart and it’s a great achievement for them.”
It was also a special victory for Ghee.
“This is my first time coaching and it’s the first time we’ve had an under-17 Gladstone Ringers team as well,” he said.
“It’s an unreal feeling and I’ll definitely be back.”
Meanwhile, Bluff United claimed victory in the under-15 division after a final that was a far cry from the lopsided under-17 affair.
They edged the United as One Danny Tanner Memorial team 18-16 in a thriller as their fullback grabbed onto a deft chip kick and planted the winning try out wide in the closing stages of the game.
Co-coach Chris Conway also praised the courage of his charges, who played a total of five games on Friday.
The final was a seesawing contest, with Bluff taking an early lead.
Their Bundaberg rivals wrestled it back courtesy of two quick tries early in the second half but Bluff responded with two of their own, including the match-winner.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of the boys, and the Bundy team as well. They stuck it to us right to the end,” Conway said.
“When they scored those two quick tries to take the lead, our boys could have dropped their bundle and just let it get away from them.
“But they dug deep and came away with the win so I couldn’t be happier for them.”
Fitzroy Sharks’ Greg Bani was named the under-15 Player of the Carnival.
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