It was a red-letter day for Wilcannia Rugby League, when the Boomerangs and Wildflowers travelled to Broken Hill on Saturday and secured a double in the 2023 Outback Rugby League (ORL) competitions.
Playing at Memorial Park, the women’s grand final kicked off proceedings with the Wilcannia Wildflowers (pictured above) too good for the Silver City Scorpions winning 32-10.
Tayssa Dutton scored a double and kicked four from six conversions for the Wildflowers, while Dorothy Mills, Naydine and Nerida Whyman also scored tries for the victors.
The 2023 ORL women’s competition turned into a two-team spectacle with the Wildflowers and Silver City doing battle all year.
Wilcannia coach Rhonda Hynch touched on what was a “team effort” by a terrific and talented group of women.
“I am very proud of the heart and soul the girls showed in their game, and they showed that all season,” Hynch said.
“They carried one another on the field and looked after one another, and they showed that pride for their town and that love of their sport.”
In a thrilling men’s decider, scores were locked at 22-22 at full-time but a Reginald Shephard field goal during golden point edged the Wilcannia Boomerangs to a 23-22 victory over the Menindee Yabbies.
President Anthony Schembri said the men’s decider was played in good spirit with both sides deserving praise for delivering a spectacle of country Rugby League.
“The men’s game was unbelievable; anyone could have won that,” Schembri said.
“Both teams tried their best and it was a top game that showcased Rugby League. The best thing is that both teams shook hands after the game.”
Schembri has strong connections with both teams and explained that the Boomerangs and Wildflowers made the small community of Wilcannia proud.
“It meant a lot to the community, and winning two premierships will hopefully get more players to the club next year,” he said.
The Boomerangs and Wildflowers boasted many Indigenous players in their sides and Schembri touched on what that meant to those players and the Wilcannia community.
“Having Rugby League in Wilcannia is very important for our Indigenous players, and it helps with getting them out there, communicating, socialising, and just talking to others,” Schembri said.
“It’s great for their education, thinking, and even getting work.”
With the 2023 ORL season over, Schembri said it is time to start thinking about 2024 and ways to grow the sport in towns such as Broken Hill, Wilcannia, and Menindee.
“We need more teams; I’d like to see the competition with juniors playing in the morning before the men and women,” Schembri said.
“If we can get under-14s and under-16s teams going, they will get older and play seniors, and it will help keep our competition alive.”
