Meet the all-conquering Walkerston Wanderers Under 18 girls rugby league team that captured the imagination of the local sporting public this season in the Mackay and District Junior League competition to bring home premiership honours.
Duncan Watt’s champion Class of 2022 underlined their supremacy with a rousing 38-4 Grand Final victory over Northern Suburbs Devils at the Mackay Junior League Fields back on August 26.
It capped a superb campaign for the rampaging Roosters, who demonstrated their power and skill by notching seven tries to bury the Devils in the title decider.
Both squads featured the nucleus of St Patrick’s College Mackay’s emerging female rugby league talent.
Wanderers’ powerhouse prop Abby Rose Bowman and skilful half back Mersades Lawson grabbed try doubles with classy five eighth Kayla Shepherd, hooker Lara Hutchinson and back rower Jeneshia Beveridge registering four pointers to complete the rout.
The promising Shepherd booted five conversions to finish with a personal tally of 14 points.
Norths only points in the match came from a lone second half try by five eighth Leila Murphy.
There was no stopping the Roosters as they jumped to an unassailable 22-0 lead after 24 minutes following tries by Bowman (2), Shepherd and Lawson in a first half blitz.
Paving the way up front were forwards Bowman, Hutchinson, Beveridge, Gracie Watt and Payton Douglas with their bustling runs and deft off loads.
Clever halves Shepherd and Lawson were instrumental in the victory – providing snappy service to the Roosters slick backline and creating opportunities in attack with their silky ball skills and vision.
Reaping the benefits were fullback Trinity Grigg and outside backs Paige Mooney, Demi Rossi, Madison Westecott, Lilla Hoffman and Keely Pitt.
Devils’ skipper and pocket dynamo hooker Paityne Johns turned in a wholehearted performance for the runners up along with pivot Murphy, utility star Shaylee Hazledine, fullback Mikaela Parter and lock Jalen Pauling.
Other Wanderers players to shine during 2022 were Eva Daly, Ava Wheeler, Charlotte Large, Ella Webb, Rodday Viti Hicks, Charlotte Agius and Lily Peacock.
Pic caption: Jubilant Wanderers players celebrate their Mackay and District Junior Rugby League Under 18 Women’s premiership after trouncing Norths Devils 38-4 in the Grand Final
