DEVILS & DOYALSON Shine in the Dubbo Sun! The Devils Women’s Open were a cut above the Parkes Pumas in their final, taking out the title 12-0. The class of Sophie Broadhead, the McCall sisters, Rachael Beck and Ash Stanley proved to be more than the Pumas could handle. With the Devils now bouncing after their victory, it’s proved to be great preparation for the 2017 State Cup. They’ve certainly put some of their more seasoned opposition on notice. The Doyalson Dragons had a much tougher time in their Grand Final against the Wollongong Devils, but managed to claim their fourth consecutive Men’s Open title. The Dragons were caught off guard early with Wollongong scoring in their first possession. With the lead in hand Wollongong applied plenty of pressure before Doyalson mustered their own first touchdown. From there, Doyalson’s big match experience helped them move into the lead and hold the Devils at bay. The final score of 8-4 didn’t reflect the closeness of the game. We are certain Wollongong Coach Matt Tope was happy with the steady progress of the team across the weekend and into the preparation phase for the State Cup. After their Country Championship success, the Doyalson Dragons went on to a nailbiting victory in the Vawdon Cup over Parramatta Eels to secure the unique double. Port Macquarie Makos shocked the rapid Port Hunter Marauders in the Mixed Open Division claiming a 6-4 victory. The Makos had to do it the hard way being undermanned throughout the whole. Coach Aaron Ison will be happy his Makos were able to turn the result around after the Marauders won their last battle at the Hunter Western Championships in Maitland. CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MAITLAND. FINAL RESULTS MEN’S OPEN A: Doyalson Dragons 8 def. Wollongong Devils 4 Player of the Final: Daniel Langbridge – Doyalson MEN’S OPEN B: Dubbo Devils 14 def. Parkes Pumas 5. Player of the Final: Harry West – Dubbo MEN’S SENIORS (O/30): Wagga Vipers 11 def Orange Thunder 2 Player of the Final: Steve Nicholls – Wagga MEN’S MASTERS (O/40): Nelson Bay Neptunes 6 def Dubbo Devils 2 Player of the Final: Calvin Mitchell – Nelson Bay MIXED MASTERS (O/40): Orange Thunder 2 def Parkes Pumas 0 Player of the Final: Mark Waters – Orange MEN’S 50: Wollongong Devils 2 def Newcastle City Knights 0 Player of the Final: Mark Hearnden – Wollongong WOMEN’S OPEN A: Wollongong Devils 12 def. Parkes Pumas 0 Player of the Final: Sophie Broadhead – Wollongong WOMEN’S 20: Wagga Vipers 5 def. Nelson Bay Neptunes 2 Player of the Final: Ella McFarlane – Wagga WOMEN’S SENIORS (O/30): Dubbo Devils 4 def Jerrabomberra Storm 3 Player of the Final: Serena Prout – Dubbo MIXED OPEN A: Port Macquarie Makos 6 def. Port Hunter Marauders Player of the Final: Beau Montgomery – Port Macquarie MIXED OPEN B: Newcastle City Knights 5 def Forster Tuncurry Tornadoes 4 Player of the Final: Toby Brown – Newcastle AFFILIATE CHAMPIONSHIP 1st Dubbo Devils - 75pts 2nd Wollongong Devils - 65pts 3rd Wagga Vipers - 60pts After setting the standard on Day 1 both Wollongong Devils in the Women’s Open and Doyalson Dragons in the Men’s Open have claimed victory at the 2017 Country Championships. 8 | Keeping In Touch 2016 IMG002_NSWTouch_Dec17_v3_FILM_R.indd 8 28/11/17 4:21 pm