Riverina took out the first women's rugby league Country Championship with a powerful finish in the final at Mudgee on Saturday.
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There was little between the two sides for most of the inaugural tackle decider, before two late tries from hooker Ua Ravu turned the game in Riverina's way.
Speedster Tess Staines then created plenty space up the middle to round out the 28-14 victory over favourites North Coast.
For many of the side it was their first season playing league and coach Dean Whymark was thrilled by their performance.
"It was a really strong performance," Whymark said.
"North Coast were as good as we expected, had really done their homework on our structures and how we played, pushed us to a point where we had to keep fighting, be better but we managed to find that and do it."
Coming together as part of the Bulls Academy program in November, it has been a quick transformation for the team stacked with some of the best leagetag talent in the region.
They played four games on the road and Whymark thought all the hard yards brought the team together.
"We had four trips which was good in a way as it allowed the girls to bond and come together as a team," he said.
"A lot of them are new and for some of them it is their first time playing so to learn the game, come together as a team then make the final and win it is such a massive achievement."
Ravu and Staines were outstanding but Takilele Katoa shone brightest with her powerful style seeing her awarded player of the grand final.
"Those type of girls have really put in solid performances throughout the whole campaign and it was no surprise to us that they stood up in the moments that counted, but we had 17 good performers out there and everyone contributed in their own way," Whymark said. "It was fortunate in the last 10 to 15 minutes we were able to swing the game back our way and get the win."
FULL-TIME
Riverina 28 (U Ravu 2, T Staines, S Gaynor, N Serukabaivata tries; G Suckling 4 goals) d North Coast 14 (K Williams, L Ward, N George tries; S O'Connor goal)
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