The Newcastle Rebels claimed the 2023 NSWRL Country Championships with a sensational 49-16 victory over the Riverina Bulls at Woy Woy Oval on Saturday.
Contesting the knockout tournament for the first time since 2016, the Adam Bettridge-led outfit left no doubt who was the best regional district in the state.
Newcastle eliminated the Central Coast Roosters 36-14, the Illawarra-South Coast Dragons 30-10 and the Western Rams 46-18 to book a berth in the decider.
And, the finale was as good as over at half-time, when the Rebels led 30-6.
To a man, Cameron Anderson, Joe Woodbury, Gary Anderson, Timanu Alexander, James Bradley, Chad O’Donnell, Sam Clune, Jayden Butterfield, Luke Huth, James Taylor, Lincoln Smith, Lewis Hamilton, Ben Stone, Ryan Glanville, Luke Higgins, Jack Welsh and Connor Kirkwood proved too fit and skilful for their rivals over the past month.
Despite a softening up period in the opening stages, Newcastle soon clicked into gear.
In the 11th minute, Clune, Cameron Anderson and Gary Anderson joined forces to put Bradley over in the corner. O’Donnell then made it 6-0.
The Rebels struck again when Clune fired a brilliant cut-out pass to Alexander, who sliced through with ease. O’Donnell raised the flags and scoreline to 12-0.
Almost immediately, Gary Anderson split the defence inside his own territory and found Bradley in support. O’Donnell converted to extend the margin to 18-0.
In the 26th minute, Macquarie Scorpions flyer Joe Woodbury took an intercept and beat a couple of defenders on a sensational 90m run to the line. O’Donnell stretched the advantage to 24-0 with a successful kick.
Then, Alexander grubbered through for himself and regathered near the uprights. O’Donnell booted his fifth goal to push the side ahead 30-0.
Riverina hit back close to the break when Zane Bijorac touched down. Latrell Ziegwalt added the extras to make it 30-6 at oranges.
Newcastle continued where it had left off, with Clune and Alexander combining to send Woodbury over. O’Donnell maintained his 100% record to stretch the lead 36-6.
The Bulls responded, however, with a four-pointer to a Ziegwalt, who then converted for a 36-12 scoreline.
Two tries in the space of three minutes to Butterfield and Cameron Anderson, plus another couple of goals to player of the match O’Donnell, put the issue beyond doubt at 48-12.
But, to Riverina’s credit, the players refused to surrender, with centre Brayden Draber crossing the tryline. Ziegwalt sent the conversion astray.
Then, with seconds left on the clock, front-rower Butterfield potted a field goal to wrap up the encounter 49-16.
- NEWCASTLE REBELS 49 (James Bradley 2, Gary Alexander 2, Joe Woodbury 2, Jayden Butterfield, Cameron Anderson tries; Chad O’Donnell 8 goals, Butterfield field goal) d RIVERINA BULLS 16 (Zane Bijorac, Lattrell Ziegwalt, Brayden Draber tries; Ziegwalt 2 goals)
For more sports stories:
- REAL NRL: Pickers keen to do it again, says Lantry
- Rebounding after Newcastle Basketball stadium news
- REAL NRL: Wyong Roos ready to leap into 2023 season
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
