Holy Family Catholic School from Parkes and Bathurst’s Assumption School spoilt the party for two Dubbo teams in a gala day of football at Apex Oval yesterday.
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Playing in the final of the Russell Richardson Cup for Year 3-4 boys, Assumption defeated St Pius X West Dubbo 12-4 in a thrilling game highlighted by some great attacking play, but wonderful defence, particularly by the winners who time and time again denied their opposition with last-ditch defence.
It was a real try-a-thon in the Year 5-6 final for the David Peachey Shield when Holy Family got the better of South Dubbo Public 32-28 after tiredness took its toll on both sides in the second half.
In their lead-up games Holy Family sailed through to the finals with three wins and then got past Assumption School Bathurst in a semi-final.
South Dubbo got through after two wins and a draw and then eliminated a gallant St Pat’s Trundle side 20-16 after extra time in a semi-final.
Wayne Medlyn, the former Parkes first grader, and teacher Tami Hennock, were thrilled with Parkes’ first win in the competition that started with district carnivals before teams earned a place on finals day.
“It’s been a great day for the boys and the school,” Medlyn said.
“Our players played well and deserved their success but overall I was really delighted to see the high standard of football played all day.
“The Assumption side from Bathurst was very good and were disappointed not to make the final, while full marks for South Dubbo who tried right until the end.”
Tall Parkes back Harry Fisher was man of the match in the final after a big effort in attack and defence. He was presented with an X-Box by David Peachey.
Victory was ever so close for the St Pius X outfit from West Dubbo coached by Tim Nelson, who made it a first getting through to finals day.
They carried that form into the round robin games earlier in the day with wins over Rylstone and Calare, Orange, public schools as well as Coolah Central; and over Orange’s Bletchington in the semi-final.
Up in the top half of the draw Assumption carved out wins over Coonamble, St Joseph’s Nyngan and St Laurence’s, Dubbo, before beating St Joseph’s Blayney in the semi-final to earn a place in the final.
The win was special for Assumption’s Noah Griffiths who was man of the match, and he also had an X-Box to remember his big day in Dubbo.
Noah and his teammates had earlier received the carnival trophy from Russell Richardson, the former NRL and Super League centre who started his rugby league career at West Dubbo primary in Dubbo.
Special guests at the carnival finals, apart from David Peachey and Russell Richardson, was Manly Sea Eagles prop George Rose and Mario Fenech who was here courtesy of the NRL.
