Lachlan District spent their first season in the Western Women’s Rugby League (WWRL) competition this year with their Under-18s side going through undefeated to claim a maiden premiership.
Coached by Troy Gosper, Lachlan District won their six regular season games, scoring a competition-high 176 points while conceding just 60. (Photo above courtesy Game Face Photography)
A young side oozing with talent that will represent Penrith, Sydney Roosters, South Sydney, and Canberra next year in different Tasha Gale Cup squads, went into their semi-final proving too good for the Woodbridge Cup outfit winning 32-10.
Lachlan District, which draws players from Rugby League nurseries such as Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin, Canowindra, Trundle, West Wyalong, and Grenfell, entered Saturday’s decider at Jack Arrow Sporting Complex as hot favourites but were made to work for their win against a very game Vipers outfit.
The sides went try-for-try in the first half, the Vipers leading 16-14 at half-time.
Lachlan District found another gear in the second half with the accurate boot of Teagan Smede and the try-scoring efforts of Charli Robinson and Maely MacGregor - who crossed for two and three tries, respectively - helped Lachlan District claim a thrilling four-point victory (28-24).
“They did give us a bit of heart failure there, but they came out and dug in during the second half,” Lachlan District Registrar Jenny Hocking said.
“The Vipers put in a hell of a fight, but our girls got it done.”
It was Lachlan District’s first season in the WWRL with organisers pressing the 'go button’ after three years of considering the move. They ended up successfully fielding the required five teams.
Their Under-12s also made finals, while the Under-18s have made a wide-reaching region "proud as punch".
“You really can’t put it into words,” Hocking said.
“They were undefeated, and we did suspect they would be in the grand final, but for them to come out and win, they have done the community, club, and their parents so proud.
“We’re made up of a lot of small communities, but everyone has got behind the club, and even with sponsorship, we had some quite significant sponsors come on board, and they are all happy to come back on board next year.”
The success of Lachlan District’s inaugural WWRL season has seen a surge of interest in women’s tackle in the area. It's expected to lead to a new Lachlan District Junior Rugby League girls tackle competition in 2024.
“I am highly involved with the Lachlan District Junior Rugby League competition, and we are trying to implement an Under-14s girls tackle competition. I’ve already got Under-12s girls asking if they can play up,” Hocking said.
“The only thing is that we need to find the time to run those extra games. We don’t want to take League Tag away either, as we believe there is room for both, but we need to make it all work.”
It was a big day at Bathurst’s Jack Arrow Sporting Complex last Saturday, with five grand finals decided.
In the Under-16s a Sienna Sullivan double led the Wiradjuri Goannas to a 22-10 win over the Vipers.
Maddison Higgins scored a treble and Nakita Volivakarua crossed for a double in the Under-14s grand final, delivering the Goannas a second title as they defeated the Panorama Platypi 32-14.
The Vipers Under-12s won a low-scoring thriller in the opening match, defeating the Panorama Platypi 12-10.
