Western team manager Kieran Smith is adamant his players have come out of the NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) rugby carnivals better players.
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The home side enjoyed just one win across the three-day event at Apex Oval and finished with a 53-7 Plate Final consolation match loss to North Coast on Friday.
The side battled a number of injuries across the three days as well but Smith said there was a huge amount of positives to take from it.
“They all came away better footy players,” Dubbo College’s Smith said.
“We came in pretty green and we had a couple of really good sessions with the Waratahs guys here on Wednesday so they improved their lineout and scrummaging and some of the systems we learnt as well, it was all next-level rugby so everyone has come away better footballers.
“There were patches today that were okay but North Coast were probably unlucky to be in this game and that showed in the end.”
The win was set up early by North Coast, who jumped out to a 24-0 lead at half time and then went on with the job in the second stanza.
Western was brave and the never gave in despite the onslaught and injuries.
Grenfell flyhalf Frazer Ryder scored his side’s only try, a fantastic individual effort after slicing through the line on halfway.
“They all played well and did their bit,” Smith said.
“Hayden Atkinson, in the front row, only came into the side on Tuesday and played almost every minute and was strong and big Euta (Filisi) there too, the front row was very strong.
“But for me, Harry Krueger was a clear standout for the week. Just his workrate and his effort in attack and defence was strong. Tom Isbester was good too but everyone contributed.”
North Coast captain Jayden Lynch was a star for his side.
While it wasn’t the dream ending for Western, Smith was excited to see his players take what they learned back to club rugby.
“This is a step up from club rugby, no doubt, so they can take this back and then next year we’re slightly better and we can up-skill and so on and that will continue to make rugby stronger,” he said.
“The exciting thing for these guys is a lot of them are in year 11 and they’re already talking about what they can do next year.”
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
