A MASSIVE defensive effort in the first half set up the Toomelah Tiger's win in the under-17s final against the Walgett Aboriginal Connection (WAC) on Monday at Caltex Park.
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It was no dream result for WAC, the hosts of the carnival, and while they had chances in the decider the Toomelah side was always in control.
The victory was set up in the first half when the Tigers repelled attack after WAC attack before scoring in the final three minutes.
The margin remained four at the break and then Toomelah ran away with it in the second half to seal a 20-10 victory.
"The boys performed well and scored a few tries from distance so it's a good feeling," Toomelah co-coach Rob McIntosh said after the match.
"Walgett had a bigger side but we're more mobile and quicker.?We defended well."
Gerome Burns was simply brilliant for the winners, and was one of five different try-scorers for Toomelah.
WAC had a player sin-binned and lost another through injury in the first half with Toomelah winger Jamal Woodbridge the only man to score when he crossed approaching half-time.
Quindon McIntosh and Burns scored shortly after the break and extended the lead by even more with another try 10 minutes into the second half.
Dubbo youngster Jai Merritt got one try back for WAC and fellow Walgett player Jye Lyons also crossed as the match wound down to add a little more respect to the scoreline.
"It's been really good, our men's side didn't go too well but out boys made up for it," McIntosh said as his young side celebrated.
" I was happy with the first half and knew we were going to get away with it when we were 14 points up."
Earlier in the day, the under-12s was also a cracking game with 2829 Coonamble Boys and the La Perouse Panthers unable to be split even after two portions of golden point.
They deservedly shared the title while in the under-15s it was much more one-sided with the Barwon United Swans defeating Kempsey United 24-16.