A 20th consecutive Central West State League title never looked in doubt for the Orange Toyota Thunder on Sunday.
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In last year’s event, Orange was made to work for a 19th title by Dubbo in a tough final.
In 2015, there was no doubt Orange was the region’s best side after they accounted for Dubbo 66-29 in Sunday’s final.
“Twenty years - that’s a good feeling,” Orange co-coach Jacky Lyden smiled.
“It’s excellent and the girls really deserved it,” fellow coach Em Callaway said of the 20th title.
“We’ve had that consistent team and a lot of the girls have been there for a long time.”
In the division one semi-finals at the Orange PCYC on Sunday, Orange downed Cowra 63-26 and Dubbo defeated Bathurst (1) 50-33.
In the final, once Orange and Dubbo settled in, the defending champs dominated.
They were up 14-9 after the first quarter, with Shannen Downer outstanding at wing defence creating multiple turnovers.
Orange shooters Sinead Bradley and Erin Johnstone didn’t miss in the second quarter which helped push their side out to a 31-16 lead at half-time.
Both teams seemed to slow in the third quarter, however, Orange still pushed the score out to 46-24.
Orange and Dubbo made some changes for the final period, bringing on some younger players, but Orange was able to pull away again for the 37-goal victory.
“We thought Shannen (Downer) was our stand out in attack and defence,” Callaway said.
“Even the defences (Sheryll Selwood and Abby Tilburg) were saying it (Downer’s work) was giving them time to work out what they were doing because it was a different Dubbo combination to what they were expecting. That helped them as well as the whole team.”
The coaches were impressed with senior shooters Bradley, who played with an ankle injury, and Johnstone.
Young players Katie Eslick, Brooke Burcher and Brigette Jasprizza, who came on the final quarter, also impressed their coaches.
“Overall we couldn’t really fault anyone. It was consistent and it’s been consistent right throughout the duration of State League,” Lyden said.
Dubbo coach Karen Weekes was happy with her team’s performance.
“It was a great game. Obviously we would have hoped for it to be a little bit closer but we’re really proud of the way our girls played,” Weekes smiled.
“Our girls played as best as Orange let them play today. It remains our goal to beat Orange.”
Callaway and Lyden, who were coaching Orange’s top state league team for the first time, said they felt relief once the side claimed a 20th title.
“We felt the pressure more because this is our first year,” Lyden said.
“Being players with these guys before made it hard,” Callaway added.
“Sometimes it’s hard to step out of that playing role and into the coaching role. They responded really well to us and showed a lot of respect. They are a really good bunch. They really did run themselves and we were there as eyes on the sideline.”
Orange has qualified to contest the NSW Inter-Regional State League event on September 26-27.
In Sunday’s other Central West State League finals, Dubbo downed Bathurst 47-43 in the division two decider, Orange accounted for Bathurst 28-21 in the 17s years final, and Cowra beat Orange 36-17 in the 15 years decider