Nelson Bay rugby juniors in strong early season form

RISING Nelson Bay Gropers juniors Lachlan Dunning, Matthew Green, Wade Rolston and Xavier Powell, have claimed State Junior Rugby Championship honours.

The talented quartet featured in the Parramatta Two Blues Under 15s representative squad that lifted the Bowl Trophy at this year’s NSW Junior Championships staged at Marcellin Park in Maitland.

The prestigious carnival showcases the best young rugby talent in NSW.

Dunning, a smart utility, shone for the Two Blues along with fly half Green and power forwards Rolston and Powell.

The Gropers’ young guns also featured prominently in the Club Day partnership with the Singleton and Wanderers clubs at Tomaree Sports Complex.

Green, centre Caden Foster, back rower Will Enright and Hunter Wildfires rep flanker Flynn Squires, travel two hours each Thursday from Singleton for club training at Nelson Bay.

This is testament to their commitment to achieving success and honing their skills.

Casey Dunning’s fourth ranked Under 15 Gropers took on premiership pacesetters Maitland last Saturday at Marcellin Park, in a fixture that could shape their 2025 campaign.

Nelson Bay enjoyed mixed success on the day with victories in the Under 10s, Under 14s, Under 15 Boys and Under 15 Girls.

Gropers’ Under 9s coach Patrick Arthur has unearthed some exciting young talent in his development squad.

They include the promising Mitchell Bright, Ludic Maree, Julian Arthur, Conor Bowe, Arianna Reynolds, Aiden Nettle, Lucas Norman, Xander Pugh, Ben Wilson, Jackson Carroll, Will Shaughnessy, Jack Wither, Archie Cowan and Bohdi Macbeth.

Under Pat’s guidance the young hopefuls have shown a marked improvement in each game in all facets of play and have delighted supporters with their developing skills and team work in the Hunter Junior Rugby competition.

By Chris KARAS