Parramatta dominate Easter challenge
Thursday April 16, 2009
The Parramatta Eels, in their third year of participation in the Nyngan Easter Rugby League Challenge, were crowned winners of the Straits Open Boys division on Sunday.
After finishing runners-up to Newcastle for the past two years, this was Parramatta’s year and they did it in spectacular style securing a 22-16 win over the Penrith Panthers in the last five minutes of the final.
In the ITT Flygt 15s division, Parramatta ran out convincing winners with the Country Rugby League (CRL) Far West Academy side, which was made up of a number of Cobar players, finishing runners-up.
Ten teams from across the state travelled to Nyngan to take part in the Easter Rugby League Challenge with Cobar players Jim Delboux, Macauley Dawson, David Watson, Wade Potter and Khaleb Whitehurst included in the 15s CRL Far West side and Zacc Douglas, Shane Suridge and Raymond Ebsworth in the Open Boys division.
The CRL Far West Academy took on Western Suburbs in the first game of Straits Open Boys division.
Western Suburbs had a clear size advantage over the CRL Far West side but despite this CRL Far West matched their opposition in the opening 15 minutes before Western Suburbs slowly gained control of the match to run out winners 36-4.
A highlight of the first day was the CRL Far West’s win over Cronulla in a close and tough contest.
The game included a try from Cobar’s Macauley Dawson to help the CRL Far West side to a 16-10 win.
Cobar’s David Watson’s try in the team’s game against the Western Barbarians also helped them to a 22-12 win.
CRL Far West Academy Head Coach and event organiser Col Wright said he was once again honoured that teams have travelled to Nyngan to participate in the 2009 event.
“There was some great rugby league played over the weekend and some great moments off the field as well,” Coach Wright said.
He said the Far West players had received some valuable experience coming up against some of the best junior talent from Sydney and Newcastle.
“It has shown them the standard they need to reach.
“Our Opens team may have not won a game this weekend but they never gave up while our 15s
showed that they are very talented only losing to the Parramatta side.”
He said the inclusion of three more Sydney sides in this year’s event showed that not only was the weekend gaining in popularity, it was also gaining an excellent reputation throughout NSW.
Coach Wright said he hoped more teams would take up the challenge next year.
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