Red Bend is a renowned rugby league production line, arguably the best in the west, and on Sunday at Bathurst the Forbes school will again get the chance to prove it.
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Red Bend will take on Bathurst St Pat’s in the under 16s NAB Western Premiers Challenge, the two junior sides kicking off a bumper day of footy at Carrington Park.
The Lachlan League champs, Mark Hartwig’s Red Bend boys stormed home late to thump Dubbo and District premiers Wellington 36-16 on Tuesday night to secure their place as Group 11’s under 16s representatives.
Hartwig says Sunday’s clash in Bathurst will put a full stop on both season 2018 and a number of junior footy careers in his blues outfit.
Canterbury bound back-rower Jack Hartwig will fly to Sydney for a camp with the Bulldogs immediately after Sunday’s games, the bullocking forward along with Tommy Phillips, Charlie Holman, Isaac Nash and Jack Peckham send to finish up their time as junior footy players with the chance to be crowned western’s best.
“There’s a few of them that will finish up. It’ll be a sad moment but I think they’ve all enjoyed their junior career,” Mark Hartwig said, adding his side started slow against Wellington.
It’s a start they can afford to replicate against St Pat’s on Sunday.
The blue and whites overcame a spirited Orange CYMS in their decider at the start of September.
“I watched St Pat’s in their grand final at Cowra and they’ve got some good players. I think it’ll be a really good match,” Hartwig said.
“We’ve got plenty of great players in our side, and there’s some really good bread-and-butter footballers that you need in your side and they really drive it all and get through a lot of work.”
Sunday’s under 16s Western Premiers Challenge kicks off at 10.30am at Carrington Park.