AFTER being the Chisholm on Farm Butchery under 10s twice during the season, Wagga Kangaroo Reds could be forgiven for thinking they were likely winners at Tumut.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The junior Diesels had other ideas, however, with the Junee squad putting in a scintillating performance to claim the grand final in fine style, 18-6.
Coach Peter McCarthy said for himself and coaching assistants Simon Crowder and Mick Diggins it was simply "awesome".
"Our defence was really good, it's been building over the last few weeks," McCarthy said.
"We tackled them out of the game," he said.
The Kangaroos got across the line in the first half to lead 6-4, but it would be their first and only impact on the scoreboard.
Crossing for Junee were Kye Wright, Samuel Sainsbury, Jonty Orr and Jack McCarthy, while Joel Crowder scored the team's only goal.
Coach McCarthy said there was never any doubt the boys could win - it was just about turning up on the day.
He revealed many of the team's improvements had been building since they were defeated by a dominant Cowra outfit for the pennant during the schoolboys carnival.
The team which included six new league players which scored two tries from dummy half - a first for the season, McCarthy said.
McCarthy said after the team's third try with four minutes to go the Diesels peppered the Kangaroos line with Kye Wright scoring the final try.
Wright's efforts during the game earned him the Rick Keast medal.