THEY didn’t come away with the silverware, but Nelson Bay Marlins’ under-14 rugby league rookies can stand tall after a stellar season in the Hunter Junior League women’s tackle ranks.
Greta-Branxton Colts were crowned Division Three champions after snatching an 18-16 grand final victory over the courageous Marlins in the dying seconds at St John Oval Charlestown last weekend.
In an epic tussle, both clubs turned in a high-quality exhibition of rugby league, with the radar boot of Colts’ second rower Scarlette Austin proving the difference.
The Marlins produced a rousing second-half display and were on the brink of an historic premiership when they led 16-12 with only a few seconds left on the clock.
But a dubious last-gasp try by dashing Colts fullback Ellie Young proved a match-winner as the grand final classic ended on a controversial note.
Nelson Bay opened the scoring with a slick four-pointer by five eighth Cruiz Manning before the Colts jumped to a 12-4 lead with tries by Young and talented lock and skipper Erica Jones.
The Marlins hit back when strong-running centre Harlow Earnshaw burst through tackles and was poised to score before flicking a gem of a pass to centre partner Meah Richards, who dived over for her team’s second try, with classy halfback Maebel Colley adding the extras.
The best attacking weapon on the field, young gun Colley produced a magic moment when she darted through a gap and scooted 40 metres to score a brilliant individual try, putting the Marlins on the cusp of a famous grand final triumph.
But when the Colts ‘stole’ possession from the kick-off and launched one final raid, the scene was set for a gripping finish.
It is the Greta-Branxton club’s first-ever women’s tackle premiership.
Under the guidance of co-coaches Ben Whaler and Trent Colley, the Nelson Bay rookies developed into a premiership juggernaut in their first season of competitive rugby league.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Marlins’ whiz kids can reflect on a memorable campaign that yielded the team an historic minor premiership title.
Fielding three women’s tackle teams for the first time, the Marlins can be proud of the performances of their under-12, under-14 and under-16 squads, which made the local sporting fraternity sit up and take notice.
Spearheaded by dynamic halves Colley and Manning, the under-14s demonstrated their natural ball skills, power and athleticism across the park.
The Nelson Bay ‘engine room’ led by forwards Harper Lewis, Arabella Whaler, Indyana Chapman, Harper Harvey and hooker Harlow Colley, have proved mainstays.
Fullback Shae Vogtmann, quicksilver wingers Grace Walshe and Laila Shires, talented centres Earnshaw, Richards and Fern Cullimore all turned in top displays.
They were supported by promising interchange juniors Amara Small, Billie Sommerville, Emerald O’Malley, Jessie Last and Adlyn Wilson in a mighty team effort.
By Chris KARAS
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