DUBBO Kangaroos were able to hold strong in a physical encounter to take out the Central Wester Junior Rugby Union under 17s crown on Saturday.
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Playing in cold, wet and windy conditions at Orange's Pride Park, the Dubbo boys delivered a determined performance to topple Orange City 21-7.
Kangaroos coach Jason Blake was pleased with the way his boys played in trying conditions.
"It was a tough test in the forwards, very physical. Both sides gave as good as they got," Blake said.
Dubbo played pretty well. I think we made too many little mistakes in the first half and it cost us.
- Orange City under-17s coach John Nunn
"It was a good spectacle for the crowd to watch. It wasn't just pick up and grind in the forwards - they ran it around when they could."
The game wasn't without controversy. Dubbo had two players yellow carded, meaning they were a man down for 20 minutes of the match. Orange City finished the game with 14 players after one was given a red card for a high tackle.
This was some indication of how tough the game was for both sides.
Dubbo put on two tries in the first half through halfback Jack Bell and outside centre Ben Rosenbaum. Thomas Masonwells' two conversions helped Dubbo to a 14-0 lead at the break.
Orange City hit back midway through the second half when halfback Sean Carpenter scooted out from the back of the scrum and crashed over the score. Harry West added the extras but it would be the last time the home side would trouble the scoreboard.
In the game's dying minutes Ben Hoey was able to capitalise on some great teamwork to dive under the posts. Masonwells' conversion locked in the 14-point win.
Orange City coach John Nunn said it was a case of missed opportunities for his young side.
"Dubbo played pretty well. I think we made too many little mistakes in the first half and it cost us," Nunn said.
"They picked up in the second half. They played up-tempo and got a bit more physical with them, but the first half there were a couple of moments there where we probably lost the game."
Dubbo inside centre James Finch was named man of the match, which Blake said was a great reward for a strong season. Blake also had praise for No.8 Taine Marchant, along with his whole squad.
""The boys stuck to task," he said. "It's been a team effort all year."
In the Orange City camp, Carpenter was named best back and prop Nick O'Hara the best forward.
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