Damien Kelly’s creative work behind the scrum allowed the Wellington Wedgetails to win the prestigious Wiradjuri Invitational Knockout final decided yesterday at Apex Oval in Dubbo.
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After a dominating weekend of football, the Wedgetails dominated from the opening stanza in the final against the Elaine Hammond Memorial team and finished up 40-14 victors.
They led 22-0 at half-time and were never extended at any stage.
Ill discipline proved costly for the Hammond Memorial outfit during the first 40 minutes and when down five tries to nil were always going to struggle.
Wedgetails captain Billy Stanley it was a good win by a good side.
“It’s been a great weekend and everyone put in,” he said.
“Most of the boys are from around Wellington but we got Andrew Miller back from up at Coffs Harbour alongside Ash Conn and Blaine Stanley, so we had a pretty good side.”
Stanley, the former NRL player, didn’t get to play on day two after suffering a back injury but never the less Damien Kelly took over his role and was always hard to tie down.
He was without doubt man of the match while Conn, Miller and fullback Roy Bell all put in great efforts.
Sadly there was no joy for the Hammond Memorial side prepared for the carnival by Clarrie Cook.
They got on the wrong side of referee Zeke Shaw early and even during the half-time break were demonstrating with officials that he should have been replaced.
Organisers stuck to their guns and the game went on.
Hooker Corey Stanley was easily the best player in the beaten side and utility forward Richard Peckham played strongly. He was twice over the line but on the first occasion was ruled to have bounced the ball and on the second lost the ball forward.
The Hammond Memorial forwards have size on their side but they found the Wellington forwards too mobile which laid the foundation for Kelly and the Louie brothers Mick and Anthony to create havoc out wide.
In the consolation final, Craig Roworth’s Dubbo Western Warriors side beat Back Lane Brothers from Bourke 52-32 and Waratahs took out the inaugural under-16s title 16-6 over the Wiradjuri Dream Team.
