A sizzling start from the Menindee Yabbies propelled them to a 40-18 Grand Final win over a gallant Parntu Warriors at Broken Hill on Saturday in the senior men’s competition for the Musicians Club Outback Rugby League.
The Yabbies achieved the rare feat of going through a season undefeated after the seven-tries-to-three victory on a pristine Memorial Oval surface. It was their first premiership since they beat the Wilcannia Boomerangs in extra time in the 2012 decider.
Menindee got off to a great start on Saturday, leading 16-0 at quarter-time and then 28-0 at half-time.
Five-eighth and vice-captain Aleki Falepaini was in everything for Yabbies and was named best on ground, while barnstorming prop Jorden Mose was hard to stop after bagging a hat-trick.
Parntu never gave up and got back as close as 34-18 after clever pivot Victor Ward scored a double, which was supported by a dummy half burrow from Chris Ward to get them back into the contest.
However, when Falepaini did it all himself to score next, the premiership was sealed in a fitting finale to the season, with both teams displaying great spirit and sportsmanship.
Conditions weren’t as good for the Women’s Monarch Blues Tag decider and despite their best efforts both teams went to the break deadlocked at nil-all in dreary conditions.
Wilcannia’s Alyce Morris scored first to give the visitors a 4-0 lead before Silver City scored back-to-back tries through Tess Ryan and Nitika Ebsworth.
Competition leading pointscorer BJ Johnstone booted both crucial conversions, which allowed the Scorpions to hold onto an eight-point lead for the rest of proceedings.
Silver City fullback Phoebe Knell was named as Player of the Match after a busy and skilful performance, with her team prevailing 12-4.
