Eugowra has won rugby league’s Woodbridge Cup for the first time in seven years, after defeating Peak Hill 32-22 in the grand final last Sunday.
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The Eagles claimed the premiership in their first year under the direction of captain / coach Jarrad Wykamp and president Allan Myors, and were yesterday celebrating the victory at Myors’ Fat Lamb Hotel.
Eugowra had to survive a second half fightback from the Roosters, who scored two tries to cut what looked to be a match-winning lead to just six points.
However, Eagles forward Pat Rudd scored his second try of the day to give Eugowra its first premiership since 2005.
Rudd scored a try in each half and was named player of the match, but he faced some stiff competition from the winning captain / coach, who scored one of three tries at the start of the second half.
Peak Hill played most of the match with only 12 men, after Sean Stanley was sent off for dissent about 15 minutes in.
Scores were level at half-time but the Eagles dominated the early stages of the second half to lead 28-10.
Penalties against Eugowra led to two tries to the Roosters and Peak Hill were back in the game, trailing 28-22, before Rudd’s second try sealed the result.
President Allan Myors said Eugowra faced the loss of two key players after defeating Condobolin in the semi-final, with Steve Morris injured and halfback MJ Hodge facing a 12-week suspension.
Myors said the club appealed against the heavy penalty and Hodge was cleared to play at the last minute. Morris decided to play despite his injury and played a key role, coming off the bench in the second half.
Apart from Rudd and Wykamp, front row forward Peter Newell, centre Paul Kronenberg and lock Jake Stenhouse were key players for Eugowra.
“It was a very good win at the end of the day,” Myors said.
“I’m a very proud president in my first year. We only had a small committee doing everything this year. I had a lot of support from John Park, Sue Herridge and Jane Simmonds,” he said.
There was plenty of support for Eugowra at Canowindra on Sunday, with the Eagles also qualifying for the under 18s grand final, but the home team dominated the second half of the decider, stretching an 18-12 half-time lead to win 60-12.
