07 May 2015
Oberon High School combined with St Joseph's Central School to send two teams to contest the Small Schools Rugby League Challenge in Dubbo on Wednesday, 6th May 2015. The 13's team is pictured above.
Juniors played their two opening games against St Raphael's of Cowra & Peak Hill / Trangie. Every one of the boys were outstanding and easily demolished their opponents to send them to the grand final.
Unfortunately they had the narrowest of losses against Nyngan in the grand final. Nyngan were a very capable outfit over the whole field. Our team played hard, followed a plan throughout the whole day and team members encouraged quite a few of our boys who ran onto a Rugby League field for the first time ever.....Tyler Colley, Lachlan Gibbs (Joeys), Kynan Thompson (Joeys), Brian Barnes, Max Ryan (Joeys), Robert Walsh, Phoenix Cooper-Beattie, Ethan Lovett, Nik Dwyer, Jack Piper, Mitch Fagg, Michael Booth, and Jake Foley.
Huge special thanks to parents Mark Gibbs & Craig Colley who helped enthuse and coach this amazing and upcoming team.
In Oberon's 16s first game there was a strong performance from all the boys. Blake Ryan and Joe Rich were both stand outs in this game. Oberon won 12-0, thanks to Blake Ryan who scored 2 tries and Charlie Schrader who converted both.
Next the boys played St Raphael's, Cowra. This would prove to be the boys' best game. The forwards set the pace early with big hits and strong runs coming from Chris Weekes, Patrick Foran and Ricky McMahon. Joe Rich also had a standout game and a platform was set for the backs to put the points on. Blake Ryan again showed his skill and experience, which allowed tries to flow. The final score was 26-0 to Oberon.
The boys then came up against Peak Hill/Trangie, a difficult game for the boys. Although Peak Hill/ Trangie opened the scoring, this did little to deter the boys. Oberon struck back with strong runs from Patrick Foran and Jacob Tauraki. The boys eventually got on the scoreboard through a nifty move from the hooker Ray Sargent. After this, victory was in sight. When Blake Ryan crossed the line and Charlie Schrader converted, the hooter was sounding in the background. Final score was 12-6 Oberon's way.
Oberon entered their final game against Kandos, battered and bruised and with the loss of their hooker Ray Sargent to suspected concussion. This meant the boys were on the back foot early. Through this, Kandos opened their account with a try out wide, and an unsuccessful conversation.
The score was 4-0, but the boys showed their determination to level the score with a lovely ball from Blake Ryan which turned Ricky McMahon up the inside to score. This was converted by Charlie Schrader. However the boys from Kandos proved too good down the right hand edge, scoring again resulting in the final score of 8-6 to Kandos.
Despite that result Oberon were named winners on the day on 'FOR and AGAINST' beating Kandos 60 to 22. Special congratulations to Tyler Colley who won Junior Player of the Day.
Special mention for Bryce Hotham, a year 12 student from Oberon High School. Bryce is a real star in the world of Oberon Rugby League. He turns up to all training sessions, helps prepare the players, gives great constructive feedback and is a real role model for our players to aspire to.
There was an awesome support contingency for the 13's & 16's teams from our Oberon families. Particular thanks to Vicky Walsh (parent) & Tahnee Isedale (St Joseph's teacher) for their professionalism assisting in Ray Sargent's moment of need.
WOOT WOOT! Oberon High - 10 wins from 12 games this year ........ PROUD.
- Matt Leven, Teacher and Coach