Group 11 has claimed Western Rams domination for the third year running following a come-from-behind 26-24 win over Group 10 at Parkes on Saturday.
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Played in front of a gate that took nearly $4000 at Jock Colley Field, the red and blacks overcame an 18-10 half-time deficit to take a two-point lead 13 minutes into the second term.
Alex Bonham and Parkes pick-up Fletcher Strong both completing doubles to hand their side a 20-18 advantage before Forbes backrower Ben Maguire then scored with nine minutes remaining to shoot the hosts out to a 26-18 lead.
Ensuring a grand stand finish, Group 10 hit back late in the contest, bench backrower Mike Ingwerson diving on a grubber that was within millimetres of the dead-ball line to give the two blues hope of a win, but Group 11’s defence held strong at the death.
Strangely enough, defence was what won it for Col Wright’s outfit on Saturday, Group 11 denying multiple Group 10 raids at the back end of the first half to ensure the visitors lead didn’t grow beyond eight points.
And defence is what has nabbed Group 11 the majority of Western Rams jumpers on offer in Darren Jackson’s under 23s outfit.
Sam Dwyer, Fletcher Strong and Chad Porter are the Parkes brigade in the 11-strong Group 11 contingent in Jackson’s 22-man squad.
Dwyer, who skippered Group 11 to the thrilling two-point win, said if he had his way the make-up of the Western team would be an easy one.
“If it was up to me, I’d have all of them in there. That’s probably not going to be the case though,” he smiled.
“Defence in the end was the key for us,” Dwyer added.
“We came out in the second half and that’s what we worked on, our D. We had a few back-to-back sets where we had to defend and we dug in and it paid off.”
Dubbo CYMS prop Lee Price was tremendous throughout an 80 minute effort up front. Likewise Group 10’s Rakai Tuheke and Keelan Bresac, both great in a losing side.
By his own admission still a little skeptical about the under 23s concept, Osborne said his side’s mistakes cost it victory in the end.