Drought breakers: the new League

The girls’ achievement has come at the end of a spectacular season, featuring only one loss against Berkeley in the semi-finals. Coach Shane Chatfield said the loss had been a positive.

“The girls needed that loss – they came back stronger because of it,” he said.

“I’m a bit drained … I tell you, it was intense.

“I never felt comfortable in the whole game until there was a minute to go and we were up by ten.

“They were all nervous, but we had a good warm up and a good talk in the shed before we went out. We spoke about getting off to a good start and we did, scoring the first three tries.

“There were some battered and bruised girls at the end of the game. They went to war.”

International rugby 7s player Lilly Bennett took player of the match. Chatfield also praised Talia Moreton-Stewart.

“I don’t want to single anyone out, but Talia deserves a mention. She’d be 40kg dripping wet, she’s four foot nothing and she played like a trooper.

“The knocks she copped on the weekend, most boys wouldn’t get back up from them but she just kept coming. She was really courageous.

“It was just a great team effort, and I’m super proud; it’s something no one can ever take away from them.

“They’ve earnt this premiership - that hasn’t happened in Batemans Bay since 2002. They deserve the recognition; they were the only senior side to walk away with anything.

“They’ve pioneered women’s rugby league in this region and come up trumps. The two girls’ teams deserve all the accolades that go with that.

“I feel embarrassed when people congratulate me. When you’ve got players who are committed, you stick to a structure, play for one another and believe in one another, you get those results.

“This will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“Lorne and Danielle Heron deserve a huge thanks and recognition for the incredible support and hard work they’ve given the girls and opens teams.”