Andrew Gee (Calare, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Calare electorate is alive with football finals fever. On Sunday, huge numbers of Rugby League fans walked through the gates at Wade Park in Orange for the Group 10 grand finals. Kicking off the day was the women's League Tag grand final between minor premiers Orange Hawks and Bathurst St Pats. Hawks were courageous, but Bathurst St Pats took home their third premiership title with a 16-12 win. I would like to recognise each of the Bathurst players, including Captain Karah Armstrong and players Sarah Watterson; Meredith Jones; Candice Boggs; Elise Woods; Jess Scadding; Mish Somers, who was awarded Player of the Game; Nicole Schneider; Riane Barton; Amy Copping; Emily Rhynehart; Maddy Boyce; Bronte Emanuel; Caitlin Reeves; Kate Allen; Jakiya Whitfield, who is one of our great local sporting champions; and Emma Dilon. Behind the successful Bathurst St Pats League Tag side are also President David Chapman, Vice President Mick Single, Treasurer Shane Ward, Secretary Gary Goldsmith, League Tag Coach Mick Armstrong, trainers Rhys Frame and Richie Farrar, and Manager Lauren Dean.

Following the League Tag grand final was the gripping game between Orange CYMS and Bathurst St Pats in the under-18s division. At half time it was 12-all, and, with just 15 minutes to go, Bathurst were leading 18-12. But in the last quarter of the game, CYMS scored four tries to secure their first grand final win in 10 years. I would like to recognise the team, including Captain Craig Tarr and players Nathan Swain; Lincoln Monk; Ethan Kennedy; Lindsay Thurgate; Mitch Collins; Josh Board; Hudson Spicer; Sam Warner; Tyrone Harrison, who was named Man of the Match; Hugh Gibson; Jack West; under-18s Group 10 Player of the Year Ethan Monk; Mitch Leonard; Craig Simpson; Jack Braithwaite; Lachlan Salisbury; Jett Clark; Josh Piper and Will Cusack. I'd also like to recognise Coach Scott Sullivan, Manager Rod Moore and trainers James Muller and Brendan Jones. Our commiserations to the mighty St Pats.

In the reserve grade final, the Lithgow Workies took home the premiership following a 24-10 win over another valiant St Pats side. I would like to recognise the players in the winning Lithgow side, including Nick Miller, Pauli Kunawave, Liam Walsh, Greg Alderson, Michael Rennie, Josh Jones, Man of the Match, Eli Felton, Darcy Allan, Connor Lege, Sam Rushworth, Riley Allen, Jack Kable, Andrew Bain, Byron Wilson, Steve Hughes, Paceli Vayavanku, Trevor Wilson and Steven McMurtrie. Special mention also goes to Lithgow Workies President Corey Osborne, Vice President Graeme Osborne and also Mark Warren, Treasurer Anthony Boza, Secretary Kyle Egan, Coach Joe Inzitari, Manager Wally Glasson and trainers Brodie Casey and Evan Hughes.

The day ended with a nailbiting performance from Orange CYMS and the Oberon Tigers in the premier league division. The Oberon Tigers hadn't won a grand final since '75 and were very determined to break the 42-year drought. They led from the very first two minutes of the game. At half time it was 18-8, and, with just 20 minutes left on the clock, the score was set at 22-8 to Oberon. The crowd was convinced Oberon would secure the 2017 title, but four quick tries by CYMS put the score at 22-all, and, with just three minutes to go, CYMS Captain Mick Sullivan lined up and kicked the winning field goal from 20 metres out. This led Orange CYMS to claim their fifth premiership title in eight years. Our commiserations to the Tigers. They will be back. But it was a terrific comeback.

I would like to mention the Orange CYMS players, including five-time premiership-winning Captain Michael Sullivan; Ben McAlpine; Tom Satterthwaite, who was awarded Man of the Match; Joe Lasagavibau, who goes by the nickname 'Joe Lamborghini' because of his blinding speed; Lachlan Munroe; Semisi Katoa; Luke Petrie; Cameron Jones; Ryan Griffin; Chris Bamford, who was named the Group 10 Player of the Year for the premier division; Joe Duffy; Brendan Cousins; Robbie Mortimer; Sam Hill; Brock McGarity; Tim Mortimer and Dom Maley. Special mention also goes to Orange CYMS President Dave Penny, Vice President Anton Logan, Treasurer Trevor Woods, Secretary Mandy Moore, Premier League Manager Steve Maguire, and trainers James Muller and Brendan Jones.

Well done to all of Calare's 2017 grand finalists. You're all part of the tremendous sporting tradition of central western New South Wales, and we wish you all the best for the 2018 season. We'll be watching it with interest. And Deputy Speaker Vasta, I know that you personally are a big League fan, and I will have great pleasure in reporting to you the details of the 2018 Group 10 season in the central west.