LEAD THE WAY: Western Rams under 18s captain and fullback Jack Creith scores one of his two tries in his side’s win over Greater Northern Tigers. Photo: SANDY SMITH
THEY made a pact not to let each other down, and on Sunday they didn’t.
Western Rams are one step away from winning back-to-back Country Rugby League under 18s titles after downing Greater Northern Tigers 38-28.
The scoreline could have been much worse for the Tigers, but they scored three late consolation tries.
Rams coach Steve Sutton said his team’s performance in the first half laid the platform for the 10-point victory.
“We were pretty dominant early and the scoreline didn’t reflect our dominance,” Sutton said.
“They have a lot of character, they have a lot of belief and they backed themselves which won us the game at the end.”
Five-eighth Chad Porter was instrumental for the Rams, playing a hand in the opening two tries of the match.
Captain and fullback Jack Creith bagged a double.
Orange’s Jarrod Robbins made an immediate impact on the game scoring in the first minute.
Western was solid in defence and shut out any attack the Tigers threw at them.
“The defence early in the second half, we held tight for about six sets and I think the next time we got the ball we went to the other end and scored,” Sutton said.
“It was really a gutsy effort.”
Western will play Bidgee Bulls in the final after they came from 10-0 down to defeat Newcastle 26-22.
Sutton said his boys must step up a gear to beat the Bulls.
“We weren’t at our best and we have a lot of improving to do and we have to be to beat Bidgee and get the result,” Sutton said.
n WESTERN RAMS 38 (Jack Creith 2, Jarrod Robbins, Brent Naden, Jake Goodwin, Alex Bonham, Swade Dunn tries; Chad Porter 3, Dunn 2 goals) def GREATER NORTHERN 28 (Brad Cappello, Isaac McCormick, John Brady, Jeff Golledge, Jacobe Dowell tries; Logan Harris 3, Dowell goals).
