A very cold morning welcomed supporters to the Narrandera Sportsground for the sixth Proten Cup Grand Final.
Narrandera had set up a big day, with their Under 16s team playing before Yanco games during the year, Yanco brought all their games to Narrandera on Saturday for curtain raisers. DPC defeated Yanco in both the reserve grade and league tag games, while the U16s Lizards got the win in a tough game 12-6 over the Roosters.
The Proten Cup Presentation then followed just as the rain set in, with nominees braving the wet and the wind. Winners were:
Women’s
Top tryscorer, Sophia Kelsey (Barellan); top pointscorer, Monique Higgins (Barellan); best back, Sophia Kelsey (Barellan); best forward, Christine McDonald (Barellan); most improved, Amber Clarke-Baldock (Hillston); rookie of the year, Tilly Heath (Rankins Springs); coach of the year, Joel McIntyre (Rankins Springs); best & fairest, Bobbi-Lee Goolagong (Ivanhoe).
Men’s
Top tryscorer, Noah Forbutt (Barellan); top pointscorer, Noah Forbutt (Barellan); best back, Jack Glyde (Rankins Springs); best forward, Jason Cronin (Rankins Springs); most improved, Sam Richards (Rankins Springs); rookie of the year, Salesi Fatafehi (Rankins Springs); coach of the year, Kye Longford and Gary Ingram (Narrandera); best & fairest, Oswald Herrmann (Barellan).
Appreciation awards were also given to match officials Rob, Tony and Lusiana and photographer Andrew McLean.
In the women’s grand final Barellan came out firing after Ivanhoe caused the upset in the major semi, up 10-0 early before Ivanhoe pegged one back. In the second half the Rams continued their dominance, with Tommi Booth completing a hat trick to seal a back to back premiership for Barellan.
The wind was still blowing cold at the start of the men’s game as the Lizards and Dragons ran out. The Dragons started well early and centre Codey Parsons, returning from a pec injury, dove over after eight minutes.
A problem in the crowd held up the restart and a Dragons error once play resumed led to Malek Afuamua scoring three tackles later.
Tries to Jamain Morgan and Brody Williams continued the Lizards first halfmdominance, halftime 18-4 to Narrandera with centre D’Andre Williams sent to the sin bin right on the siren.
The Dragons used the extra man advantage to get back in the game with prop Jason Cronin barging over before adding his second a few minutes later after a Damian Walker 40/20.
Now only down by two, a penalty for a late hit marched the Dragons down the field again and rookie of the year Salesi Fatafehi put in a grubber to the corner which beat everyone but winger Jesse James.
With ten minutes left and up by two, the Dragons repelled several Narrandera raids on their line to win the Grand Final 20-18. Jason Cronin was named man of the match.
The Dragons increased their premiership tally to three in six years, with Narrandera on two and Goolgowi one.
The win was emotional for the Dragons players, first time coaches Damian Walker and Josh Johnston leading the team to a premiership after finishing fifth with only one win in 2023, after beloved local players Dane Richards and Sam Prince passed away last year.
Rankins Springs, a small town of 200 people, maintain their footy club on a small group of volunteers, local players, a few expats and some good mates willing to travel out for training each week and some big away trips.
Despite a small population, the love of rugby league that dates back generations has produced some brilliant footballers and and some big hearts that more than make up for a lack of population.
The club has now overseen three premierships from three Grand Finals since the Proten Cup began in 2018 and 12 grand final appearances in their last 20 seasons played dating back to 1992, with 12 years in the wilderness after the collapse of Group 17 in 2006.
Eight players – both coaches along with Brent Parsons, Andrew Streat, Jamie Parsons, Billy Vearing, Josh Curphey and Bart McIntyre – have been a part of all three grand final wins.
In another well-deserved accolade, President Brent Parsons was last week named NSWRL volunteer of the year for the Riverina region, and is invited to the Brad Fittler Medal ceremony in Sydney in September.
Brent and secretary Jamie Parsons have maintained their positions since the club reformed in 2018, while both also have been major drivers in the creation and continued running of the competition along with Geoff Hale since the beginning.
This year Brent also took on president of the competition, and along with both roles and added responsibilities like bus driver, line marker and cleaner, now has three premiership medals to his name as player.
The Proten Cup season for 2024 is now over. Thanks to all players, volunteers and supporters for making another great season and it is hoped to see everyone back in 2025!
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 25 July 2024.
