Lilly Baker described Sunday's grand final win with Orange Hawks as a "perfect" farewell to the junior footy ranks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hawks claimed a third successive title at Forbes' Spooner Oval when outclassing a brave Macquarie Raidettes 28-4 in the Group 10 under 18s league tag grand final.
Hawks lost Baker's co-captain and key player Courtney Morgan to a severe knee injury just minutes into the match but you wouldn't have known she was missing as the Orange side produced a near-complete performance in attack and defence.
FANS IN THE STANDS: Who was out and about at the rugby on Saturday
"I don't even have words for it. I love these girls and they played their bloody hearts out today," Baker, herself battling a knee injury, said after the win.
"It's a perfect team and perfect coaches to finish the last year off with."
Hawks dominated much of the contest as a heavily penalised Raidettes side faded late on after a Millie Smith try had things all square at 4-all early in the second quarter.
- CITY DETERMINED TO RISE AGAIN: How the Lions' loss will spark a City revival
From there the Dubbo side struggled to make any real impact on an outstanding Hawks' defensive line and after the Orange side led 18-4 at the main break they went on with the job in the second 30.
Hawks fullback Jes Pearson was named player of the match after proving elusive nearly every time she ran the ball and acting as a strong final line of defence but there was a number of standouts. While it was a painful and largely frustrating defeat for the Raidettes there was still a huge amount to be proud of.
The side was put together only weeks before the season started and featured players from various Group 11 clubs who were looking for a game after that competition had been cancelled because of COVID-19.
Macquarie played away from home every week during the season but had made massive strides on the field and losing their opening game by 40 points.
"I'm super proud of the girls," coach Kaitlyn Mason said. "We've done a lot of travel and it's just a credit to them for keeping up the good work."
HAVE YOUR SAY
- Send us a letter to the editor using the form below ...