Despite the under 18s Country Championship title sitting pretty in Western’s trophy cabinet following the Rams’ thrilling extra-time win in the final earlier in April, there was still plenty to play for in Saturday’s juniors match at Parkes.
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In the end, Group 11 proved exactly why it dominated the championship winning Rams outfit with a 28-10 win over Group 10 at Jock Colley Field.
The red and blacks’ right edge was electric, Westside flier Kaylan Murray bagging a treble and Parkes centre Ben Davis scoring one in the commanding win.
Group 11 coach Byron Warren admitted the clash has lost some of its gloss with no Rams jumpers on offer.
“Yes and no … it’s a touchy one,” he said.
“Whether things will change next year is something different, the kids just love footy. Once they’re in the warm-up, in the dressing sheds they’re footballers and that’s what they want to do.
“It’s a healthy rivalry, Group 10 and 11. It’s been around for a long time.”
Group 11 shot out to an early 18-0 lead before Oberon hooker Blake Ryan dove over from acting half to give his side some hope of an upset, the score 18-6 at the break.
The hosts had picked a stack of its Western representatives, with Luke Gale and Clayton Couley both coming off the bench.
Gale, particularly, was strong on his right edge, a break mid-way through the final term setting Murray up for his third try of the afternoon.
The 28-10 scoreline – CYMS centre Ethan Kennedy scored Group 10’s other four-pointer – was a fitting one for a Group 11 side brimming with talent.
“We ripped in and the boys played for each other. We got the job done in the middle and that made it easier for the guys out wide.”
“We do (have a good crop of juniors), we didn’t pick all of the Rams guys, there’s a few missing, but the kids that came in did a great job. They’re easy kids to coach and they want to learn.”