Bourke Warriors win an epic Barwon Darling Cup Rugby League decider

Walgett Captain Charley Kennedy and Bourke’s Bruce Morris with the Barwon Darling Rugby League Premiership Cup

Bourke prop Daniel Knight is caught by Walgett’s William Wright

who cut through the Bourke defence and found Dragons halfback Cameron Dennis who crossed.

Bourke hit back through centre Gill Sutton to make it 4-all, but when Kevin Murray dashed over Walgett led 8-4 at half-time.

A sweeping backline movement from the Dragons saw Douglas Murray cross and hand the Dragons a 12-4 lead.

Bourke replacement Joash Mann then scored the first of his two second half tries, Warriors five-eighth Stevie Elwood converting to make it 12-10.

Murphy again showed his class when he sliced over from a Walgett scrum win, Dragons five-eighth William Wright converting to hand the hosts an eight-point lead again.

But Bourke stormed home with two late tries to win.

Strike Warriors centre Darryl Cubby found a small passage down the left-hand edge to score, Elwood again successful to reduce the margin to two points (18-16).

And then Mann ran off a money ball to score his second and hand Bourke their first Barwon Darling Cup premiership.

At the presentation, Walgett five-eighth

Bourke completed a brilliant return to the Barwon Darling Cup rugby league competition with a gripping 22-18 grand final win against Walgett at No 1 Oval, Walgett on Saturday.

The Warriors were down 12-4 and 18-10 during the second half but stormed home to win a high-quality decider that featured plenty of bruising and scrambling defence.

Joash Mann was the hero for Bourke with a second-half double including the game breaker with three minutes left after the Warriors executed an outside-inside ball set play with a pop pass that Queensland Origin stars Sam Thaiday and Billy Slater have made famous.

Warriors captain-coach Bruce Morris was handed the Ronny Gibbs medal as man-ofthe-match after a tireless defensive effort.

He was delighted after the four-point win played in front of a crowd of approximately 500 people.

“I can’t describe how it feels,” Morris said. “I’m just proud to be captain of this side. It was a

big effort to come back. It’s great to win this premiership and now we’ll aim to defend it next year. I’m stoked.

“I can’t thank the boys enough. It’s the best we’ve played all year.”

Morris described Mann, prop Daniel Knight and centre Darryl Cubby as “soldiers” for their efforts.

Bourke president Stephen Howarth said it was a great feeling to win the 2012 title.

He paid tribute to Morris’ efforts as skipper. “Bruce is a true leader ... he led from the front all

season and deserved the Ronny Gibbs medal,” he said.

“It was very exciting. This is what a grand final is about ... a tough fought out win.”

Howarth said props Peter Mackay and Daniel Knight were good along with Matt Gibbs but all 19 Warriors used lifted.

“It was a terrific effort ... we prepared well, we knew we would have to dig deep to beat Walgett on their home ground,” Howarth said.

“They showed that true Warriors spirit to come home.”

Walgett captain Charley Kennedy admitted the loss was tough to take after dropping last year’s grand final 46-28 to Goodooga at No 1 Oval.

However, the Dragons accepted their second straight grand final defeat with dignity.

“It’s very frustrating ... leading most of the game,” Kennedy said. Two years in a row, the boys will find it hard. Bourke were just a bit hungrier. It was a good challenge having Bourke in the competition. We did our best but Bourke outdid us.Our defence was strong ... but I think we were a little lethargic at times.”

Kennedy said Louis Murphy and Richard Dennis were his side’s best.

Walgett coach Richard Simpson said it was a good day for the Dragons club but didn’t have the ending they wanted.

Simpson said he felt Murphy was the best player on the field after the former NSW Country seconds representative had a great game in attack and defence at fullback.

He added Bourke was fitter with regular football in recent times and the Warriors played a strong, controlled style of game where Bourke’s entire side contributed.

Both sides defended their goal-lines with plenty of determination.

Walgett scored first after William Wright threw a well-timed inside ball to Murphy,

William Wright was announced as Barwon Bourke’s Ian Brown makes a breakDarling Cup senior leading pointscorer (98 points, five tries, 39 goals) and best and fairest player of the 2012 competition.

Fellow Dragon Murphy (19) was the highest try-scorer.

Under 17s Grand FinalIn the under 17s Barwon Darling Cup grand

final, Brewarrina defeated Collarenebri 4832 with Golden Googars halfback Kieran Ford named as Ronny Gibbs medal winner.

The highest pointscorer in the under 17s was Brewarrina’s Derek Eyre (96 points, 14 tries, 20 goals) while Collarenebri’s Shaun Morgan (15) was highest try-scorer and Bourke’s Billy Brissenden was the competition best and fairest.

Collarenebri won the under 14s Barwon Darling Cup grand final 52-20 against Bourke with Bulldogs five-eighth Carl Mason named best on ground to collect the Ronny Gibbs medal.

Lane Simmonds (Collarenebri) was the under 14s competition’s best and fairest player and highest pointscorer (98 points,

highest try-scorer with Walgett’s Dale Jones (21). All three highest point scorers for the season,

Simmonds (14s), Eyre (17s) and Wright (seniors) all cracked the 100-point barrier on grand final day.

Barwon Darling Cup rugby league senior grand final 2012

BOURKE 22 (Joash Mann 2, Darryl Cubby, Gill Sutton tries; Stevie Elwood 3 goals) defeated WALGETT 18 (Louis Murphy, Kevin Murray, Cameron Dennis, Douglas Murray tries; William Wright goal).

Ronny Gibbs medal – Bruce Morris (Bourke)

Barwon Darling Cup rugby league under 17s grand final 2012

BREWARRINA 48 (Lane Salt 3, Edward Simpson 2, Derek Eyre, Kieran Ford, Darren Doole, Martin Boney tries; Eyre 6 goals) defeated COLLARENEBRI 32 (Travis Brazier 2, William Lamb 2, Shaun Morgan, Lochlan Peters tries; Brazier 4 goals). Ronny Gibbs medal - Kieran Ford

21 tries, seven goals). Simmonds was joint (Brewarrina)

with the three key conductors starring on song guided minor premiers

Collarenebri to a 52-20 Barwon Darling Cup rugby league under 14s grand final win against Bourke at Walgett’s No 1 Oval on Saturday.

Shaquille Peters scored four tries, Ronny Gibbs medallist Carl Mason bagged a hattrick and the strong-running Lane Simmonds posted a double in the Bulldogs’ strong win.

The big three for Collarenebri lifted on grand final day but Collarenebri coach Chris Kirkland felt it was the work of the other players that helped his stars shine.

He noted the efforts of a player like little Steven Morgan.

The Warriors kicked the ball to Morgan constantly and Kirkland noted his little winger was safe under pressure.

“I think all the boys played their roles,” Kirkland said. “No-one did anything wrong. We were good across the park.”

Kirkland said in a footy-mad town of around 600 people winning this 14s premiership was exciting.

Collarenebri had two teams in on grand final day and went home with one title and a happy cheer squad who made the trip to Walgett in big numbers.

“The support was great ... the kids cherish having their families and friends there,” he said.

“Football means a lot to the community. “The boys were the best team in the competition

and deserved the grand final win. It’s great and I’m proud of them all.”

Bourke under 14s coach James Simmons said that Collarenebri deserved their victory.

The Bourke 14s coach felt some of his players may have pulled up a little tired after playing lots of football last Friday at Coonamble at a Clontarf Sporting Academy event.

But he added backing up a day later that shouldn’t have worried his youngsters and said the Warriors had a good season.

“We came up against a very good side that

“We started well but Collarenebri got on top.” When Bourke were down at half-time Simmons

pointed to one of his side’s great comebacks of 2012 as inspiration.

The Warriors travelled to Lightning Ridge back in July and were down 38-10 during the second half against the Redbacks before storming home to win 46-38.

That win kick-started Bourke’s run into Saturday’s grand final and helped shatterLightning Ridge’s finals hopes but the Warriors couldn’t muster such a comeback a month later against Colly.

“I thought if we’d done that before, we could do it again,” Simmons said.

“We got as close as eight points but it wasn’t to be.

“Overall I feel pretty privileged to have coached a good bunch of kids. Hopefully we can keep the junior footy going in Bourke, it’s been good to have it back.”

Simmons said fullback Connor Elwood was named as Bourke’s players player while Roy Smith and Raymond Simmons were strong in the middle of the field.

Coach Simmons said Bourke playmakers Ernest Johnson and Clynton Edwards both had good seasons.

Lane Simmonds (Collarenebri) was the under 14s competition’s best and fairest player and highest pointscorer (98 points, 21 tries, seven goals). Simmonds was joint highest try-scorer with Walgett’s Dale Jones (21).

Barwon Darling Cup rugby league under 14s grand final 2012

COLLARENEBRI 52 (Shaquille Peters 4, Carl Mason 3, Lane Simmonds 2, JeffreyFlick, David Cunningham tries; Mason 2,William Adams 2 goals) defeated BOURKE 20 (Robbie McKellar 2, Jamahl Smith, Mal Edwards tries; Ernest Johnson 2 goals). Ronny Gibbs medal – Carl Mason (Collarenebri).

Collarenebri def. Bourke in 14’sA polished grand final performance played well,” Simmons said of Collarenebri.

“The Western Herald”, Thursday, August 23, 2012 15