WESTERN can cement its position as the premier region in country junior rugby league this Sunday, but it will take a little bit more work to make it happen.
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The Rams under-16s and under-18s squads have been in training since November of last year following selection trials in October, with the program setting a platform that has seen both sides progress to their respective finals unbeaten.
Both were impressive in their semi-finals in Dubbo last Saturday, the 18s winning 48-4 over Greater Northern Tigers while the 16s enjoyed a 28-8 result over East Coast Dolphins.
"The teams have really reaped the rewards of the work they've put in," Country Rugby League Western regional manager Peter Clarke said.
"There's a lot of effort that goes with putting together one team of players that come from places like Coonabarabran, Cowra, Bathurst and Nyngan, let alone two.
"We changed our preparation this year, and I think the fact that we've had the results we have so far might make other regions follow suit.
"I hope that is the case because even though I'm biased and want Western to do well, the idea with these junior rep teams is to try and bolster rugby league at this level all over NSW because that ultimately filters through to the senior grades later on."
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Both finals will be played as curtain raisers to the Country-City match at Tamworth's Scully Park.
As well as playing in front of a large crowd and some of their NRL idols, players from the two Western squads, the under-16s Greater Northern Tigers and under-18s Bidgee Bulls will all get a chance to press for higher honours.
"The longer you keep winning in these tournaments the more chances you get to put your name forward to Country selectors, and the boys from both our squads have done that," Clarke said.
"Winning a final puts you right in the frame for selection but both Jamie Szczerbanik and Cameron Greenhalgh have made this week like any other week.
"The 16s trained on Tuesday night, the 18s will train Thursday night and the preparation remains the same.
"These kids have worked so hard, so it's really exciting to see both squads in a position where we could get good numbers in both Country squads.
"For the under-18s in particular it's exciting because for some of them it's their last year in junior footy so it's their last chance at this level to wear the maroon and gold jersey."
WESTERN RAMS UNDER-16s
to play Greater Northern Tigers (12.15pm)
1. Charlie Staines (Forbes), 2. Jack Isedale (Coonabarabran), 3. Zarrin Galea (Narromine), 4. Brock Naden (Wellington), 5. Lincoln Monk (Orange CYMS), 6. Matt Burton (c) (St Johns Dubbo), 7. Josh Board (Orange CYMS), 8. Luke Bain (Bathurst St Patricks), 9. Paddy Haycock (St Johns Dubbo), 10. Matt Nicholson (Red Bend), 11. Hudson Spicer (Orange CYMS), 12. Tyrone Harrison (Orange CYMS), 13. Nathan Swain (Orange CYMS). Interchange: 14. Blaine Gordon (South Dubbo), 15. Joey Hobby (Blayney), 16. David White (Condobolin), 17. Zac Cook (Orange Bloomfield), 18. Jacob Pollard (Cowra)
WESTERN RAMS UNDER-18s
to play Bidgee Bulls (1.40pm)
1. Lachlan Farr (Blayney), 2. Callum Clyburn (Cowra), 3. Jai Doolan (Cowra), 4. Mitchell Andrews (Forbes), 5. Bayden Searle (Dubbo CYMS), 6. Adam Fearnley (Bathurst Panthers), 7. Joseph Dwyer (c) (Parkes), 8. Izaac Scott (Forbes), 9. Rick Nobes (c) (Cowra), 10. Brad Gaut (Parkes), 11. Luke Gale (Dubbo Macquarie), 12. Kade Barrow (Bathurst Panthers)
13. Clayton Couley (Nyngan). Interchange: 14. Jack Beasley (Mudgee), 15. Harley Wood (Coonabarabran), 16. John Ciappara (Dubbo Macquarie), 17. Craig Tarr (Orange CYMS)