Waratahs made it two from two with a dominant display in the Southern Inland second grade grand final.
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Capping off their unbeaten season, Waratahs ran away with a 38-10 win over Wagga City.
It was a rematch of last year’s decider, but there was no repeat of last year’s result with the minor premiers proving far too strong at Conolly Rugby Complex.
Two tries in the first seven minutes set the tone.
Captain Tony Ritchie was pleased to get the job done.
“City always come back and they never give up, it showed when they scored in the back end of the game off the back of a few penalties, but a win is a win,” Ritchie said.
Blessed with a plethora of players who would walk into the first grade side at most other clubs, Waratahs never really looked threatened.
Rory Bonner put James Grimmett over after four minutes before a Bonner break helped put Joe Mullany over.
After the fast start by Tahs, Wagga City had plenty of ball but didn’t look like scoring.
Instead they settled for a John Sutcliffe penalty goal.
Waratahs went into the break with a 19-3 lead when Tom Hobbs made the most of space out wide late in the half.
The onslaught continued in the second half as Bonner put Hobbs over for his second three minutes after the break.
Nine minutes later Euan Bonner burst through the line from close range to see Waratahs out to a 33-3 lead.
With about six minutes left Paul Ferguson scored but off the back of a number of penalties helped the Boiled Lollies score through Jayden Stanton in the dying stages.
Ritchie thought the added depth helped deliver the win.
“I don’t think there is a back who hasn’t had a crack at first grade and it is huge for us,” he said.
“Last year we didn’t have any depth, we were in the same position with three in the finals, but we’ve pulled a few more boys up this year and it has really showed.”
Ritchie gave plenty of credit to coaches Angus Stevenson and Mick Davis for bringing the side together.
“It has been a tough year as none of the boys really knew each other at the start and it is a credit to the coaches really,” he said.
“They really made it for us.”
It was one of their new faces who went home with the Warwick Tout Medal after being named best on ground.
Despite picking up an injury, flanker Ben Selby got through plenty of work to help Waratahs get on top early.
“He had a really good pre-season with us, played two games then hurt his knee,” Ritchie said.
“He’s come back in the last part of the finals and really changed our forward pack.
“He puts a lot of pressure on at the breakdown, gives away a lot of penalties, but steals a lot of ball as well.”
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