Junee’s reserve grade women have capped off a stellar season by claiming the Madden Trophy.
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The Jaguars downed Cootamundra 2-0 in the grand final at McDonald Park on Sunday.
Kara Hancock slotted a pair of goals – one with each foot – within the final three minutes of the first half to take a 2-0 lead, which Junee maintained until the final whistle.
Coach Craig Duncan said it was a clinical display from Hancock.
“She just knows how to finish, shes very underrated,” Duncan said.
“She can use either foot, has good speed and a great feel for the game.
“She a great player and she’s always in there having a go.”
The first half was evenly contested for the most part as both sides manufactured a series of attacking opportunities, but neither were able to capitalise.
As the first half drew to a close, heavy rain began to fall, slowing the pitch down and making it hard to maintain footing.
Elation is a good word to describe the feeling, everyone was so excited and we had so much fun all year.
- Jaguars stalwart Prue Duncan
After scoring their two goals in increasingly damp conditions, the sogginess assisted Junee in holding a scrambling Strikers outfit scoreless on their way to a well-deserved piece of silverware.
Cootamundra pushed three players forward at the death in a desperate bid to find the back of the net, but Junee weathered the storm to claim the title, bolstered by an impressive performance in goals from keeper Sarah Smart.
Billy Deacon was similarly impressive after being moved to the back from the midfield, defending admirably all day.
Duncan was thrilled with his side’s disciplined title-winning performance in trying conditions.
“We were very focused,” Duncan said.
“We passed the ball very well, played the ball very well.
“We got caught in that mud heap in the middle of the ground a few times but we handled that fairly well too.”
Jaguars stalwart Prue Duncan said the premiership-clinching win was the “cherry on the top of a very fun season”.
“Elation is a good word to describe the feeling,” she said.
“Everyone was so excited and we had so much fun all year.”
Junee has every chance to enjoy another successful campaign next season, with both first grade and reserve women making the grand final and several strong contributors set to return to the club’s ranks next year.