Proten Cup Finals Wrap: Narrandera first side into Grand Final after comfortable win over Hillston

By Tallon Smith

The Narrandera Lizards are the first team into the 2023 Proten Community Cup Grand Final after they comfortably defeated Hillston 30-12 at the Narrandera Sportsground on Saturday afternoon.

The runaway competition leaders showed their Minor Premiership-winning qualities in the victory, with seventeen year old Campbell Lyons crossing for a hat-trick and Gary Ingram booting four of the Lizards’ five conversions in the victory.

Narrandera President Shaun Lyons said that it was “unreal” seeing his club enter a second successive Grand Final, and their third in five years.

“It’s a great feeling not just for our club but our whole town to be in our second [successive] Grand Final,” he said.

“I thought our captain Jamain Morgan and Campbell Lyons were our standouts, but I also thought Kyle Prior coming off the bench made a real impact.”

Lyons also spoke of the impact of the Junior Lizards, who compete in the neighbouring Group 20 competition’s Junior Division.

“Our committee has worked really hard over the last 4-5 years to put things in place so our Junior Lizards can come through, not just into our men’s team but also our ladies team.”

“I’m over the moon to see three local boys playing in the Grand Final who have come through the Lizards system, my son Campbell Lyons, Jakeem Morgan and Jahrel Tereva.”

“These boys have played together from day one since they were five.”

In the Minor Semi Final, the Ivanhoe Roosters upset the highly-fancied Goolgowi Rabbitohs 22-14 to progress through to next weekend’s Preliminary Final against Hillston at Hillston.

The standout performer for the Roosters was lock William Charles, who crossed for a double, whilst Jake Whyman, Ethan Harris and Patrick Little also crossed the stripe for the Ivanhoe side.

In the Women’s matches, the Barellan Rams cruised to a 16-6 victory over Ivanhoe to book their spot in the big dance at Goolgowi in two weeks’ time.

The Rams go in heavy favourites after their undefeated season, as they attempt to win the title in their inaugural season in the Women’s competition.

Monique Higgins starred again with a try and two goals for half her side’s points, a fitting performance given that she claimed joint top pointscorer for the season alongside Goolgowi’s Sophia Kelsey.

In the Minor Semi, the hometown Narrandera Lizards defeated Goolgowi 12-10 to move on to next week’s Preliminary Final where they will face Ivanhoe.

Lyons said the victory by the ‘Lady Lizards’ was “one of the better wins they’d ever had.”

“Like the men’s team we have a lot of young ladies who have come through the Junior Lizards system,” he said, again mentioning the Lizards’ burgeoning junior affiliate club.

“The girls were down and out with no substitutes left, but just kept defending the line.”

“Verity Rahim and Noka Prior were our best players.”

“Going into the game tomorrow we are underdogs, but I have no doubt the girls can pull it off.”

Season Awards

Also on Saturday, the Proten Community Cup awards were handed out for 2023, with the top gong of Best and Fairest going to William Charles (Ivanhoe) and Sophia Kelsey (Goolgowi) in the Men’s and Women’s competitions respectively. It is also interesting to note that both are just 17 years of age, with long and successful careers hopefully ahead of them.

The Coach of the Year award went to Kye Longford (Narrandera) in the Men’s and Sam Everett (Barellan) in the Women’s 9s, whilst Stanley Hermann (Barellan) and Maddie Knight (Rankins Springs) won the respective Rookie of the Year awards.

Tiarra Hardwick was named match official of the year.

Next Weekend

In the Preliminary Finals, to be held at Hillston on Saturday (July 22), the Hillston Bluebirds will host the Ivanhoe Roosters for a spot in the Men’s decider, whilst Ivanhoe faces Narrandera in the Ladies’ match.

Proten Community Cup Men’s Finals Series

Week 1 (Narrandera)

Major Semi: Narrandera 30-12 Hillston

Minor Semi: Ivanhoe 22-14 Goolgowi

Week 2 (Hillston)

Preliminary Final: Hillston v Ivanhoe

Week 3 (Goolgowi)

Grand Final: Narrandera v Prelim Winner

Proten Community Cup Women’s Finals Series

Week 1 (Narrandera)

Major Semi: Barellan 16-6 Ivanhoe

Minor Semi: Narrandera 12-10 Goolgowi