The first Sunday in September at Salter Oval was the significant day for all Bundaberg, Fraser Coast and Gladstone (girls) junior international players involved in their annual grand finals played in front of an interchanging crowd of 2000 plus supporters.
Kicking off at 8am, the Waves Tigers Under 13 boys proved far too dominant over their Western Suburbs opponents and ran out comfortable winners 30-8.
The player of the match was Waves’ centre Thomas Morcom, who was outstanding, crossing for four tries.
The Under 14 Girls game was also a one-sided affair with Gladstone Wallabys too strong for the Bundy team, ticking the scoreboard over to read 34-8 at the fulltime siren.
Outstanding half Jakaylha Docherty was unanimously awarded player of the match.
In what was probably the match of the day, Brothers withstood a strong challenge from Hervey Bay Seagulls to win the Under 14 Boys decider.
Spectators were kept engaged throughout the entire contest to witness the Brethren take out the game 14-10.
Brothers hooker Patrick Curtis was deservedly awarded the player of the match.
The Under 17 Girls clash between Bundaberg and Tannum Sands was also an entertaining game, continuously flowing from end to end until the team from the Sugar City prevailed to take out the honours 16-8.
Bundaberg's Tasma Davies played very well and was justly awarded player of the match.
In what was probably the upset of the day, the Wallaroos Under 15 side were far too methodical and defeated the Grizzlies 36-10.
The Grizzlies (combined team of Wests and Easts players) were guilty of not completing their sets and their line speed, especially in defence, wasn’t consistent; whereas their opponents were strong in all aspects of their game and combined well as a team.
Congratulations should be given to both Wests and Easts for their foresight of combining clubs to make up a team so these young players could compete due to lack of numbers in this age group in each club.
The player of the match in this game was awarded to a very promising player in Liam Doolan, a name to remember as he will be prominent in future years within our great game.
In the main game of the day, the Under 16 Western Suburbs defeated minor premiers Hervey Bay 28-12 in an entertaining game to complete a great program.
Wests had good line speed in both attack and defence and outplayed the Seagulls in a great display of rugby league.
Judges had a hard time choosing a player of the match which in the end, was awarded to Wests non-stop tackling machine Connor Black, who was outstanding in this department.
In summary, out of the six great games, only two minor premiership winning teams prevailed at the big dance: Waves' Under 13 boys and the Bundaberg Under 17 girls.
This goes to prove the old coaching saying ... "The game isn't over until the final whistle."
