Dubbo South and Buninyong will lead the charge by primary school teams for honours in the David Peachey Cup and the Russell Richardson Shield after running out winners in the Dubbo carnival yesterday.
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More than 30 teams took part in the two divisions, the Peachey Cup being for Years 5 and 6 teams and the Richardson Shield for players in Years 4 and 5.
In an exciting final that featured creative running and passing, but particularly solid defence, Dubbo South defeated a plucky St Joseph's outfit from Gilgandra 13-5.
While the brilliance of Kieran Cubby-Shipp - who scored two tries and Josh Merritt one - was on show, it was in defence that South had to lift and this they did with brilliant efforts from all 10 players at various stages of the 20-minute final.
Gilgandra were gallant in defeat with South's weight in numbers on their own line the only difference between winning and losing.
Kieran Hazelton was Gilgandra's sole scorer in the first half while Merritt was named man of the match.
The Souths side comprised Leroy Toomey, James Kennedy, Corey Johnston, Andrew Page, Tim Allan, Josh Merritt, Joey Egan, Todd Shields, Kieran Cubby-Shipp and Duncan Edwards with Paul Loxley the coach.
Souths had the luxury of fielding their three Western Area PSSA representatives in Merritt, Shields and Kennedy. They will play in the State championships at Wyong later in the month.
The junior final between Buninyong and Orana Heights was also a great spectacle as players from both sides ran the ball, backed up in support and tackled their little hearts out. Some of the skills shown by these youngsters were astounding.
Swade Dunn was named man of the match in the final as his side scored three tries to one and won 11-3.
The Buninyong side was: Daniel Runciman, Marty Fernando, Swade Dunn, Fred Edwards, Marty McKeon, Andy Peachey, Edward Wilson, Jaden Harvey, Mitchell Gray and Kieran Hill.
The four teams from yesterday's Dubbo finals will now go into the western area final of the two major trophies to be decided at Apex Oval in Dubbo on Wednesday June 30.
This year qualifying carnivals have been played at Dunedoo, Orange, Cowra, Bathurst, Parkes, Portland, Cobar, Coonamble and Dubbo and as a result it should be a gala day of football in the finals.
Junior league development officers Steve McLellan (Dubbo) and Brad Donald (Bathurst) conducted the carnival yesterday and the football was absolutely fantastic.
"It's been a great day of football and all the players, their coaches and parents deserve our thanks for the way it has all gone," McLelland said.
'The seven-a-side game sees all the players involved and is a great spectacle to see so many youngsters enjoying their sport.
"All the games were played in good spirit and their conduct was a credit to their families and their schools."
