Dillon Tana, 9, (try scorer on the buzzer), Dylan Myers, 10, Ryan Francis, 10, (man of the match) and Joshua Pumipi, 10. Friday, 7 September 2012. Photo: Gene Ramirez
Dillon Tana, 9, (try scorer on the buzzer), Dylan Myers, 10, Ryan Francis, 10, (man of the match) and Joshua Pumipi, 10. Friday, 7 September 2012. Photo: Gene Ramirez
THEY had completed the baker's dozen — 13 games undefeated in the regular season.
But as the Wentworthville Magpies under-10 division four side arrived for their grand final at Tory Burns Reserve, Baulkham Hills, they knew those results meant nothing.
It was Saturday and a slight chill cut through the air.
Coach Corey Myers described it as "the perfect day for a game of footy".
All the players had improved out of sight during the season.
None more so than serial line-breaker Ryan Francis.
Despite their form, a heartbreaking loss in the grand final two years ago still haunted some of the players.
This game against the Canley Heights Dragons was their shot at redemption.
The match couldn't have got off to a worse start for Wenty as they fell behind 16-6 in just 15 minutes.
Memories of the previous grand final loss bubbled to the surface.
But a try just before half-time saw them head into the sheds trailing 16-12 and with more than a glimmer of hope.
Then came the turning point.
Canley Heights fumbled the ball off the kick off in the second half and the opponents' were made to pay.
"When we got that ball everyone's tongues were wagging and they [Canley Heights] were blowing frosties," the coach said.
"As soon as the points started to pile on, their smiles came back."
The game disappeared from the Dragons' grasp as the Magpies took a commanding lead.
With less than a minute left on the clock and victory secured, Dillon stepped up for his season-defining moment with the scores at 40-16.
He took the tap and from just one metre out. No one could deny him that long awaited four-pointer.
Final score Wentworthville Magpies 44, Canley Heights 16.