Photo gallery: City v Country junior rugby action pics from U14, U15, U16, U18 boys, girls matches

It was physical, skilful and thrilling. The City v Country junior rugby championships showcased the best rugby talent in the state and we were there capturing the action. Check out the GALLERY

It started on a freezing cold morning and ended with the final match played under lights.

The spotlight was thrown on the best young girls and boys rugby talent in the state at the NSW Juniors City v Country championships at Bathurst.

And they didn’t disappoint.

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There was great action - and photos - at the City v Country championships.

The battle for the U16 Ella Cup. Pic: Jeremy Piper

There were fabulous matches, tight finishes, bone jarring tackles, upsets and a thriller or two on the weekend.

And while City went in as favourites almost across the board they found their match in Country in a number of fantastic battles.

Happy days for a City player in the under 14s.

Country - made up of players from across the state and in some case hundred of kilometres away from each other - stole the spotlight in three great matches to the raucous delight of the large crowds of family and fans who flocked to Bathurst to watch the games and the next generation of our rugby guns.

A delighted Country celebrating after their sensational win in the under 18 girls.

Here are some of the best action shots from a great day out for the rising stars of rugby at Bathurst.

There was no one happier than the Country U18 girls after their win.

Country came through to win the under 18s at the end of a long day at Bathurst.

There were moments of high emotion in the under 18 match.

A City player on the attack in the under 16s game. Pic: Jeremy Piper

Battle for the Grace Hamilton Shield in the girls game.

The last match of the day between City and Country.

It was an intense battle in the under 16 girls and neither side gave an inch.

A Country player getting plenty of attention.

There was plenty of emotion in the girls under 18s.

The battle for the Michael Brial Cup.

The under 16s girls match.

Every game was fought to the final whistle.

Matches were played from morning to dark at Bathurst.

Players in the under 14s after their match.

The girls games provided some of the best action.

The under 18 match which was eventually taken out by Country.

It was an intense and close under 18s match.

City barging through the Country defence in the Under 16s.

The under 14s girls were playing for the first time now a pathway has been developed for them.

The under 14s girls were the second game of the day.

Hair-raising antics in the under 14s.

The under 16s game.

The under 18s match was a great battle.

Happy City players.

The under 14s Country girls giving their City rival plenty of attention.

The battle for the Steve Tuynman Cup.

Players in the U14 battle won by City.

The under 18s girls game was one of the closest.

The 14s game set the mood for a great day. S

There was some tough tackling.

Delighted Country players and dejected City guns.

The 14s played the first game.

A City player on the burst in the under 15s.

The under 14 girls team has plenty to smile about after their win.

The under 15s game.

City with the ball in the under 14s.

The under 18s game.

There was great camaraderie between players.

The under 14s match.

Happy City players at the event.

The under 16s game.

There were great games and great photos at the City v Country junior rugby championships.

More action in the under 16s,

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Originally published as Photo gallery: City v Country junior rugby action pics from U14, U15, U16, U18 boys, girls matches