An impressive opening 20 minutes for Dubbo College Senior Campus has handed them the NSW university Shield title over Bathurst High School.
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The final of the statewide competition was played at Toyota Park in Cronulla and saw Dubbo conquer their western counterparts 38-16.
Dubbo coach Craig May was blown away by the boys efforts. Hooker Alex Bonham put in a tremendous effort to record three of Dubbo’s six tries, two in the first 30 minutes.
“Our first half effort was extraordinary,” May said.
“The completion rates were as high as I have ever seen them.
“In the first 20 minutes we really blew them off the park and this set the platform for us.”
After just six minutes, Bonham burst through from dummy half to put the first points on the board, combined with a Corey Cox conversion Dubbo were in the lead 6-0.
In the 15th minute Bonham notched up a double, crossing again, thanks to a Kieran Cubby break, and then Jack Kavanagh found the line five minutes later. Cox continued to be handy with the boot and Dubbo went into half-time with a 18-nil lead.
The second stanza saw Bathurst wanting to lead the charge, with second-rower Riccie Arriola crossing the line which was converted and they were on the board.
Three more four pointers followed, one to Dubbo’s Mason Williams, the other to the oppositions Blake Sedger and Doug Hewitt to put their side back in reach.
Doubles to Bonham, off a nice kick and chase, and Cubby, with some dazzling steps, saw Dubbo once again increase their lead. There was no turning things around for Bathurst with Dubbo managing to hold them out from their own line for the remainder of the match.
In the closing minutes of the match, Charly Runciman, playing in his first game in weeks due to injury, made a charge downfield to put the icing on the cake for the Dubbo boys and see them finish 22 points ahead.
Kavanagh was named man of the match for his performance up front, while captain Cubby was selected as the player of the university shield competition.
Dubbo College 38 (Jack Kavanagh, Charly Runciman, Mason Williams, Kieran Cubby, Alex Bonham 3 tries; Corey Cox 5 conversions)
Bathurst High School 16(Riccie Arriola, Doug Hewitt, Blake Sedger tries; Andrew Mendes 2 conversions).