THERE'S no substitute for speed in any grade of football, but when you've got someone with the wheels of Ash Widders playing third grade then you've got a massive advantage.
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That was the case for Dubbo Kangaroos' third grade side on Saturday as they crushed minor premiers Orange City 42-3 to claim the 2014 premiership and give the club their third title in the grade in five seasons.
Widders scored three runaway tries for the Roos, who won only four of their eight matches during the regular season but found form in the finals, scoring two wins over the previously unbeaten Lions.
Saturday's result was particularly dominant, with the hosts crossing for five tries while keeping the favourites from crossing the line at all.
"We've got a lot of old players and a few league players that have played through the year when they could and it just came together," Roos captain-coach Dean Matthews said.
"Like I said during the week City have probably been the form team all year but I don't think they coped with the heat here today."
Tries to Josh Dodd and Ash Widders, coupled with a penalty and two conversions from Craig McLean, helped the Roos bounce out to a 17-3 lead at half-time.
But rather than wilt in the second half, Matthews' men went right on with the job as they bagged another three tries and for good measure Dodd, a former first grade halfback playing as a third grade breakaway, slotted a field goal right on full-time as the margin blew out to 39 points.
"We got a few to training on Thursday for a change, that might have been the secret," Matthews said.
"We've had one training session and won a premiership, that's not bad.
"There's not a lot of coaching that goes on, it's more ringing guys and trying to get a team together but Brian Furner and Chris Davis have been a big help with that."
City captain Tim Barrett was disappointed with his side's performance but in a blunt assessment of the match conceded Dubbo was too good.
"They turned up and we didn't,"
"It's real disappointing but we'll be back next year, the good thing about us is we have a young side for third grade.
"Colts won today and our first grade was unlucky not to be here as well so we'll be back."
o DUBBO KANGAROOS 42 (Ash Widders 3, Josh Dodd, Nick Barber tries; Craig McLean 4 convs, 2 pens, Dodd 1 field goal) def ORANGE CITY LIONS 3 (Joe Alexander pen)
