A coaching masterstroke from Woodbridge leader Gary Hewen helped his under 16s side secure a third consecutive Western Women's Rugby League title as it decimated Castlereagh Cougars 50-4 at Pride Park on Sunday afternoon.
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Taylor Keppie has spent the majority of the 2020 campaign carting it up from front row but after three injuries forced a reshuffle to the side, Hewen made the brave decision to put the prop in five-eighth, a move that helped the young gun earn woman of the match.
The two-try effort was one of many sensational solo displays as the victors dished up a smorgasbord of rugby league excellence, much to the delight of 'Nails'.
"They blew me away today," Hewen said.
"If we played like I knew we could of, I thought we'd win by 20 but I didn't expect that. We haven't been playing too well in the last two-three weeks... we've been too hot and cold.
"I lost my half, my centre and my winger was in a moon boot for three days... I had to make some big changes... I tried it last weekend and it didn't really work but we got a roll on today."
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The winning Woodbridge side featured Parkes players Macy Morrison, Lily Heraghty, Bridie Heraghty, Elizabeth Macgregor and Jordan Lewin-Howard.
Morrison was named in the centres, Lewin-Howard started on the wing while both Lily and Bridie Heraghty and Elizabeth Macgregor started on the bench.
Much like the contest that preceded it, the result seemed like a foregone conclusion after the first quarter as Woodbridge shot out to a massive lead, leaving the minor premiers rattled.
To Castlereagh's credit, they played much better in the second half as a late try to Allirah Watton gave them a well-earned consolation.
After the victory, the coach reflected on the last three years and spoke about the kind of culture that's required to have so much success.
"They all really enjoy being around each other and every time we lost some players, the ones we brought in were just as good... it never upset the routine and just made us stronger."
Hewen is set to lose up to seven players in the off-season but based on the continual success the side's had over the last three years, you can expect Woodbridge to be prominent in 2021 as well.
In the other grand finals, it was all about the Vipers - with the Orange side winning the under 14's, 18's and Opens in some lopsided contests.
Opens grand final
Orange Vipers 24 (Samara Afela, Ciara Sullivan, Jacky Lyden, Libby Smith tries; Ella Barrett 3, Tayla Press goals) defeated Wiradjuri Goannas 4 (Rebecca Smyth try).
Jake Humphreys
Sports nut at the Central Western Daily.
Sports nut at the Central Western Daily.
