City v Country junior rugby: stars, standouts, winners, results, best photos from Bathurst
There were close calls, thrillers and games that had the crowd on the edge of their seats at the City v Country junior rugby event at Bathurst. Stars, results and award winners from the big day.
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Hundreds of players and officials converged on Bathurst for the annual City v County junior rugby festival and while the temperature was chilly the action was anything but.
The under 14s kicked of the day with the girls playing in the event for the first time and the under 16 boys thriller delivering Country their first win - but not last - on Sunday.
SON OF NRL GUN IN GEN BLUE U16S
Check out the scores, top players and what the coaches had to say after some of the best junior rugby games around along with fabulous photos from Jeremy Piper.
UNDER 18 BOYS CITY V COUNTRY
Country came up trumps in a feisty final match of the day at the City v Country championships at Bathurst on Sunday, with the biggest scoreline of the event.
The country boys shocked City 36-7 in the anticipated match.
Captain Stirling Munsie was named as Country’s man of the match and best forward with teammate Sid Harvey best back.
“You guys were a hell of a match, so tough,’’ Munsie said after the game.
City captain Harry Agar said his Country rivals were “outstanding’’.
“You deserved the win,’’ Agar said
Harley Wilson was named City’s man of the match and best back with Rodney Blake City’s best forward.
UNDER 18 GIRLS CITY V COUNTRY
Inspired by the under 16 boys, Country claim a 14-13 victory in a at times heated exchange with City in the under 18s match.
In conditions made testing by light rain and cold, Country took the lead in the final five minutes of an engrossing match played by the top females in the state.
“That was the hardest thing I have ever done,’’ said Country player Martha Harvey from central North.
“This is just the best team to be a part of.’’
Harriet Neville from Hunter won the best back award with Charlie Norton best forward and Country player of the match.
UNDER 16 BOYS CITY V COUNTRY
It was the first win of the day for Country but well worth waiting for.
In an absolute thriller, County held out City for an engrossing 13-12 victory.
“They had a defensive mindset and it came through for them. I’m very proud,’’ said Country coach Andrew Hillan.
Country’s man of the match was Riley Evans from the mid north coast with their best back Charlie Heidke from Illawarra and their top forward Michael Vandoros from the mid north coast and Hasting valley.
City’s top player was Sam Niulala from northern suburbs with Tom Farr-Jones from Randwick taking out the backs award.
“This game just goes to show how good the game is at the junior level,’’ said City coach Mike Andress.
“This shows the future is strong in Australian rugby.’’
UNDER 16 GIRLS CITY V COUNTRY
The scoreline didn’t reflect it but this was one of the more entertaining games of the day.
City took the spoils but Country hung tough in this encounter between some of the best - and toughest - female rugby players in the state.
“Every game they play they just get better and better,’’ said City coach George Ford who was most proud of his players “fighting spirit’’ in the match.
Try scorers for City were Kiana Vatubua, Aliyah Nasio and Olivia MacDonald.
Vatubua was also named best back and Nasio top forward with Alaianne named City player of the match.
Country’s Emily Dietrich was named Country’s bets player and back with Ruby Anderson their top forward.
UNDER 14 BOYS CITY V COUNTRY
The under 14 boys kicked off the day with City running out 12-0 winners but Country turning plenty of heads.
Iliyaz Viliamu scored twice for City in the first half.
Country were unable to put points on the board but impressed by keeping City scoreless in the second half of the match in frigid one degree temperatures at Bathurst.
“Our defence was the key,’’ said City coach Luke McCormack. “But they managed to spoil a lot of our momentum.
“It’s the first time they have played at this (rep) level and it was great.’’
County coach Tristan Buttonshaw was proud of his charges and their improvement in recent times.
“Everything we have told them they have taken aboard,’’ he said.
“But we came up against a bigger and faster opponent.
“I think some though we would be blown out of the water but that didn’t happen.’’
Central Coast No. 7 Toby Davies was named man of the match.
Davies hails from McMasters Beach, plays for Avoca and attend The King’s School.
“He’s a talent and brings a lot to the team,’’ said his coach.
U14 GIRLS CITY V COUNTRY
History was made in the next game with a U14 girls game played for the first time at the annual carnival.
City dominated the match with their five tries to one victory.
Scorers for City were Eden Melham, Serenity Tuainekore. Lusiana Vesikula and two star Sharon Latapu.
“It was a fantastic game,’’ said coach Andrew Winslade.
“The tries came from good rugby, not good luck.’’
Penrith’s Anika Penitani was the standard back for City and Ruby Wilhelmus from the Western Sydney Two Blues the top forward.
UNDER 15 BOYS CITY V COUNTRY
Country came out hard and fast in this encounter to take an early grip on the game.
But it was City who came through in the end for the 17-11 victory.
“It was tough. But the boys team spirit showed in the end,’’ said coach Mark Bernaise.
Thomas Haslam was a standout for City in the win with Archie Tunks named as best back.
“Tom was just everywhere,’’ said his coach. “He did all the dirty work as well.’’
The Country man of the match was Ben Sawyer and Jack Randall was named best forward.
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