Dubbo Kangaroos went into the Central West Junior Rugby Union under 15s grand final as favourites and they didn't disappoint.
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The Kangaroos turned in a dominant display to topple a gallant Mudgee Wombats 41-7 at Orange's Pride Park on Saturday.
Mudgee coach Phil English couldn't fault the effort of his young players.
"Dubbo are a very good side and our guys stuck it to them," English said.
"It was always going to be tough. We were always the underdogs. Dubbo deserved to win but I think our guys showed heart and great ticker and kept on going for the full 60 minutes."
Both sides struggled to maintain possession early in the game as they adjusted to the cold and windy conditions.
Once Dubbo settled into the match they were able to put on three tries in the opening half to lead 15-0 at the break.
A fourth try just over a minute into the second half pushed Dubbo's lead out to 22-0.
Dubbo deserved to win but I think our guys showed heart and great ticker and kept on going for the full 60 minutes.
- Mudgee Wombats coach, Phil English
Mudgee responded quickly with fullback Thomas Durrant scoring minutes later to close the gap to 22-7.
But this would be the only time the Dubbo defence would be broken. The Kangaroos put on a further three tries to record a strong grand final victory.
"Mudgee did a great job of coming at us. They played exceptionally well," Dubbo coach James Austin said.
"It's probably the hardest game of footy we've had all year, and so it should be, being the final. We managed to absorb the pressure and get a few tries in. We're very, very happy. Relieved would be a good word for it."
English said the Dubbo side was able to create options in the centre channel for the backs to run through and that was key in Nosa Obaseki scoring a double for the Kangaroos.
"23 (Obaseki) for those guys tore us to bits. Their hooker (Campbell Watts) was very good."
Watts was named man of the match for a stellar performance.
One Mudgee player in particular attracted praise from English.
"Jack Webb was very good and has had an outstanding season and deserved a recognition today because he kept digging in," he said.
- DUBBO KANGAROOS 41 (Preston Beauchamp 2, Nosa Obaseki 2, Michael Kent, Jack Hammond, Nicholas Barton tries; Nosa Obaseki 3 conv) def MUDGEE WOMBATS 7 (Thomas Durrant try, Flynn English conv)
