Norths go back-to-back in under-17 girls, while Tigers continue domination of under-14 girls ranks
The undermanned Norths outfit led before the Tigers turned on a second-half fight back to force a dramatic finish. Read about the Rocky Junior League grand finals.
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An extra-time thriller and a hat-trick from of the game’s most exciting prospects made for two gripping girls grand finals in the Rocky Junior League.
Seven premiers were crowned at Rockhampton’s Rugby Park on Saturday, with the five boys’ deciders also serving up some fantastic footy, with the under-15s decided by a field goal in golden point and the 16s won in the last minute.
Honours were shared, with Brothers Blue winning under-13, Norths Blue under-14, Fitzroy under-15, Cap Coast under-16 and Rockhampton Tigers under-17.
Norths made it back-to-back wins in the under-17 girls, beating Rockhampton Tigers 16-10 in extra time.
It was a gutsy performance from the minor premiers, who went into the decider with just 16 players instead of the regulation 19.
First-half tries to lock Chanelle Williams and hooker Jada Ryan had them up 10-nil at the break but the Tigers roared back in the second half.
Lock Lara Kamau and halfback Kyra Kent both crossed in the space of five minutes to level things at 10-all, the scoreline unchanged at full-time.
No points were scored in the first five minutes of extra time, but two minutes into the second period, it was Norths’ skipper Stevie-Lee Dixson who crashed over under the posts for the winning try.
Victorious coach Nikki Carpenter was “absolutely ecstatic”, embracing her players, some of whom were overcome with emotion.
“I’m just really, really proud of my girls,” she said, praising their gritty performance.
“For them to grind the game like that and to go into an extra 10, they were amazing.
“All 13 on the track at the time had to really dig and do their job and I think they did that.”
She said it was a special way for Dixson to sign off on her time in the junior ranks.
The Tigers’ younger clubmates were celebrating as they continued their dominance in the under-14 girls with a third straight title.
The halves pairing of Maddi Johns and Amarli Batchelor were instrumental in the 38-14 win over Emu Park, with Johns scoring four of the team’s eight tries.
The Tigers first half went exactly to plan, according to coach and club president Steve Barron, and they led 14-4 at the break.
But a second-half resurgence from Emu Park, led by courageous captain Leilani Penaia who bagged two tries in quick time, had the score at 14-all with 17 minutes left on the clock.
That lit a fuse under the Tigers who exploded into action with an all-out attacking raid.
Showing no signs of fatigue from their epic golden point preliminary final win, they put on five tries in 15 minutes.
Their dynamic halves pairing orchestrated the offensive, with Batchelor’s kicking game on point and Johns’ deceptive and incisive running earning her three tries.
Ariana Broughton, Eden Fraser, Kiara Walker and Kyzekia Bounghi also stamped their authority on the game as the Tigers celebrated a stunning victory.
“What a win,” Barron declared, as the final hooter sounded.
“It was a little bit nail-biting there in the second half but the girls rallied, came together and came up with the goods.
“That’s three in a row; we’ve won every grand final since it started.
“I’m very proud of the girls; they’re the ones who play, we just give them some direction.”
Barron said his players were like sponges, taking in everything they learned at training.
“The big thing about this team is their willingness to compete at every play and also the bond they’ve got,” he said.
“Everyone gets in there and has a go; you’ve got your outstanding players but for them to be outstanding, everyone needs to do their job.”
Grand final results
Under-13 boys: Brothers Blue d Cap Coast 30-4
Under-14 boys: Norths Blue d Fitzroy 36-18
Under-14 girls: Rockhampton Tigers 38 d Emu Park 14
Under-15 boys: Fitzroy d Cap Coast 17-16
Under-16 boys: Cap Coast d Norths Blue 26-24
Under-17 girls: Norths d Rockhampton Tigers 16-10
Under-17 boys: Rockhampton Tigers d Yeppoon 28-14
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