Narrabri and Distruict Junior Rugby League hosts 2022 season grand finals and presentation

It was wet and wild at Collins Park on Saturday when Narrabri and District Junior Rugby League hosted its 2022 campaign grand final day.

The event included the club’s march and presentation, which returned on grand final day this year following COVID-affected seasons in 2020 and 2021.

While rain forced the march to be conducted around the field rather than through the main street, and the presentation to be held in the venue’s grandstand rather than out on the field, the committee and teams both ensured the day was a great success.

The rain also made conditions quite slippery and muddy for the players that took the field. However, all teams took that in their stride and managed to put on a brilliant display of rugby league for those in the crowd who had braved the wet weather.

The main game was the under-11/12 competition grand final, which saw the Dragons take on the Titans.

The Titans claimed the 2022 minor premiership in that division but were forced to go through the preliminary final to get to the decider after second-placed Dragons won the major semi-final 28-22.

Saturday’s decider was a thrilling match that was forced into an extra time period after the two sides were locked at 14-all at full time.

Dragons were crowned champions after they scored two more tries in the overtime period, one of which they converted, to win the game 24-14.

Jacob Anderson scored all three of the Dragons’ tries in regulation time and his teammate Lincoln Saunders kicked one conversion.

The Titans’ three tries were shared between Elias Watene, Levi French and Lucas Summers-Lawler, and Levi kicked their only goal of the game.

In the overtime period, Jacob and Lincoln crossed for a try each for the Dragons and Jacob slotted one goal. Those 10 points were the difference in the final result.

Earlier in the day, under-9/10 minor premiers, Raiders, won their decider in far more convincing fashion as they outscored Rabbitohs 38-10.

Angus Manchee, Valerie Chapman and Harry Tout all bagged doubles for the Raiders in that game, and their teammates Angus Irwin and Dustin Hilderson scored a try each.

Raiders slotted three conversions in that match as well, which were shared between Harry Tout, Angus Irwin and Connor Wallace.

For Rabbitohs, Ezrah Watene and Clinton Lamb scored a try each and Tyson Crean kicked a goal.

The full list of award winners from the presentation is as follows:

Bruce Turner memorial trophy for clubperson of the year – William and Angus Manchee.

Hildred memorial trophy for club overall most improved – Brody Slee.

Rookie of the year – Romeo Backhouse-Smith

Tattersalls Hotel cup for the club’s highest point-scorer – Jacob Anderson.

Len Denton memorial trophy for most outstanding player on grand final day – Valerie Chapman.

Under-15s:
Club best and fairest – Lincoln Browning.
Group best and fairest – Declan Rooney.
Highest try-scorer – Lincoln Browning.
Highest point-scorer – Lincoln Browning.
Best forward – Declan Rooney.
Best back – Jackson Humphries.
Encouragement award – Kevin Condran.
Most consistent – Darcy Weatherall.
Players’ player – Darcy Weatherall.

Under-13s:
Club best and fairest – Heath Collins.
Group best and fairest – Chayce Browning and Frazer Penberthy.
Highest try-scorer – Chayce Browning.
Highest point-scorer – Frazer Penberthy.
Best forward – Chayce Browning.
Best back – Frazer Penberthy.
Most improved – Tyhga Jobson-Hannaford.
Coach’s award – Toby Ford.
Players’ player – Chayce Browning.
Jan Browning memorial for most consistent – Chayce Browning.

Under-11/12s:
United Truckies shield for 11/12-years premiers – Dragons.
Laurie Graham memorial trophy for best and fairest – Kye Tumbers.
Highest point-scorer – Jacob Anderson.
Player of the grand final – Coby Richards.

Dragons:
Best forward- Jacob Anderson.
Best back – Fletcher Whan.
Most improved – Maximus Dennis.
Coach’s award – Coby Richards.

Titans:
Best forward – Kye Tumbers.
Best back – Elias Watene.
Most improved – Ollie Ford.
Coach’s award – Dreyden Hall.

Bulldogs:
Best forward – Tyreake Dixon.
Best back – Romeo Backhouse-Smith.
Most improved – Cody French.
Coach’s award – William Manchee.

Under-9/10s:
Deanne Kelly memorial trophy for 9/10-years premiers – Raiders.
Amy Druce memorial trophy for best and fairest – Ezrah Watene.
Raymond ‘Rainbow’ Stanford outstanding sportsmanship award – Tyson Crean.
Highest point-scorer – Ezrah Watene and Dustin Hilderson.
Player of the grand final – Harrison Tout.

Raiders:
Best forward – Angus Manchee.
Best back – Harrison Tout.
Most improved – Mikaela Whan.
Coach’s award – Valerie Chapman.

Rabbitohs:
Best forward – Charlie Johnstone.
Best back – Clinton Lamb.
Most improved – Alex Thurston.
Coach’s award – Ezrah Watene.

Under-7/8s coach’s awards:
Broncos – Sebastian Alexander.
Bulldogs – Bailey Thorne.
Tigers – Bailey Oakley.

Under-5/6s coach’s awards:
Rabbitohs – Jeb Walker.
Manly – Arlo Watene.

Photos to come.