In finals football the smallest decisions can make all the difference and that was the case at Spooner Oval on Sunday when two moments of real quality from Braye Porter helped send Dubbo CYMS through to the Western Youth League decider.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
CYMS defeated Bathurst St Pat's 22-18 in an enthralling semi-final battle, and while there wasn't a bad player for CYMS it was five-eighth Porter who took the game by the scruff of the neck in the final quarter.
With his side leading by just two and coming out of its own half with 10 minutes to go, Porter opted to run the ball from first receiver back towards the ruck and popped a short ball to flying fullback Noah Ryan, who burst into the clear before being hauled down 10m out from the line.
A few plays later on the final tackle Porter opted not to kick and run back against the angle again, where he found halves partner Fletcher Haycock, who put Michael Freeman over wide out.
READ ALSO:
Porter than nailed the conversion to put his side up by eight points and while Pat's hit back in the final minute the damage had been done.
"You've got to sit back as a half and look for those opportunities," Porter said after the win.
"It's probably something I've lacked a bit coming in but you sit back and let Fletch take some of the control and then take them on and back yourself."
Haycock had earlier also shown real intelligence when kicking early in the set to set-up a Will Malloy try and that came in a second quarter period where CYMS really stamped its authority on the game.
Pat's had the started the game the brighter in a match which began in pelting rain and finished in blistering sunshine.
After CYMS made an error of the kick-off Pat's prop Tom Rodham, a standout for his side on the day, crashed over from close range to score the first points.
More errors crept in but CYMS captain Joe Yeo soon took control, first darting over from dummyhalf to get his side on the board before throwing a lovely flat pass from close range to allow prop Charlie Holman to barge over.
Porter's conversions made it 12-6 at the first break and then the Fishies produced smart wet weather footy in the second term while Pat's continually coughed up possession.
"That was the key," Pat's coach Kevin Grimshaw said of the second quarter.
"We gave them a good opportunity to be in the game and they took it, which good sides do.
"They capitalised on the mistakes. The first quarter, I thought, we were all over the top of them. We kicked and chased well, and we were well in control of the game but then dropping the ball on the first tackle, I think it was four times dropped on the first or second tackle, and they punished us."
Grimshaw said the errors were slightly uncharacteristic for his side, which had lost just once on the way to Sunday's semi-final.
CYMS' form has been much more patchy but the key for Porter, coach Bret Fisher, and the rest of the squad is the last two games have been the side's best so far this season.
After leading 16-6 at the main break CYMS had to face a spirited Pat's onslaught in the third term but a converted try for Tyler Colley was all the Bathurst side had to show for its efforts.
Colley put Josh Belfanti over early in the fourth to set-up a grandstand finish but then Porter put his stamp on things.
"We're growing," Porter said of his side.
"There's been a lot of (under) 16s come up and they've found their feet and feeling comfortable so we've really been growing towards the back end of the season."
- DUBBO CYMS 22 (Joe Yeo, Charlie Holman, Will Malloy, Michael Freeman tries; Braye Porter 3 conversions) defeated BATHURST ST PAT'S 18 (Tom Rodham, Tyler Colley, Josh Belfanti, Zane Watson tries; Colley goal)