Winning isn't everything. Far from it. But after plugging away last year without a victory, Turvey Park's Under 11s savoured the moment on Saturday when they tasted their first official win.
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In a thrilling finish, Turvey overcame Kangaroos Blue by two points when Hayden Kerin scored the matchwinner in a 26-24 win.
Earlier, tries had come through Zavier Lang (two), Kobe Little and playmaker Elijah Gannon-Pearson, who was doubly relieved after worrying a couple of missed conversions were going to cost them.
"It's definitely one of those things that doesn't come around too often so we're very happy with the way they went," assistant coach Dwight Sinclair said.
"The boys were very pumped. Very happy."
The side went through the first competitive age group last year showing plenty of courage but unable to secure a win (apart from at the Junee Knockout).
"We struggled a bit last year but this year we went okay against Brothers in the first round and then Kangaroos, we got over them which was excellent," Sinclair said.
"It's one of those things. We've been close but never been able to get over the line."
In a see-sawing game, Turvey dragged the lead back in the last quarter, led by barnstorming young frontrower Kobe Little, who's been on fire this season, eating up the metres.
And double tryscorer Zavier Lang, who also added a conversion, has already scored a handful of tries in just two games this season while Gannon-Pearson has been superb at first-receiver.
Turvey Park backed up with a practice match on Monday night against Wagga Magpies. On a full field, under lights, they went down but lapped up the experience against a club that they form a partnership with in seniors at Southcity.
Sinclair helps Rocky Gannon coach the Under 11s. He said the focus has never been on results.
They were very pumped, very happy.
- Dwight Sinclair on Turvey Park Under 11s' first win
"They're just enjoying their footy every week and we don't put too much emphasis on making sure they win. We make sure everyone gets a run. There are always some kids who are better than others but Rocky is really good at making sure everyone gets a fair go, even if it's to the detriment of the team," Sinclair said.
While Under 10s was competitive last year, the 11s is the first age group to keep score this season. Next year, it will rise again to Under 12s as the sport focuses on development rather than results.
Turvey Park was the host club at Parramore Park on Saturday. Their Under 12s and 15s went down, the latter including some players who also played for Southcity 16s earlier on the day.
Tyson Pellow and Max Warr scored tries in the Under 15s' 34-16 loss to Brothers.
The club also has four teams in the non-competitive tackle age groups, as well as three leaguetag teams.
President Daryl Pellow said it's been great to see the young players back playing and is rapt in the way the four Wagga clubs have worked together this year.
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