After being the dominant team all season, the Campbelltown City Kangaroos U18 girls team have gone all the way to become the 2024 Southern Conference rugby league champions.
The Kangaroos defeated the Engadine Dragons 20-6 in last Saturday’s decider at Kirkham Park, Camden to claim the trophy – a rare feat for a local team.
But their superlative effort even surprised their coach, Illya Timoti, who took the reins this year.
“It was a wonderful effort, but I must say I was surprised at how good a rugby league team these girls turned out to be,’’ he said.
“The girls themselves couldn’t believe their success – I don’t think it has sunk in for them, yet.
“There was great spirit in the group, plus we had incredible support from the Campbelltown City Kangaroos club,’’ he said.
“Both Alex and Robert Melville were really great for the U18 girls’ side and helped us out a lot.’’
The Southern Conference competition is open to teams from Camden to Cronulla and all the way to Milton on the South Coast, taking in Wests Tigers Junior Rugby League, Cronulla JRL, Illawarra JRL, Group 7 and Group 6.
Despite the challenges of travel – and constant player shortages – the Kangaroos girls defied the odds to stay undefeated all the way to last Saturday’s grand final decider against Engadine Dragons.
The only team breathing fire were the girls from Campbelltown, who just brushed Engadine aside to claim an incredible victory.
Resolute goal-line defence had restricted Campbelltown to a narrow 4-0 lead in the shadows of halftime.
But led by hardworking lock Summer Stewart, the Roos middle pressured Engadine into error, paving the way for dynamic front rower Vasa Filivao to score and make it a 10-0 lead at the break.
Campbelltown came out firing in the second half.
A brilliant try-saving tackle by fullback Kwana Moreton- Stewart soon resulted in a 12-point turnaround, with brilliant second rowers Taulaga Ropeti and Jesslyn Mahanga combining for their third try and a commanding 16-0 lead.
A superb tip-on by Ropeti had class finisher Sakari Ritchie in for her second try and the Roos had one hand on the trophy at 20-0.
A late consolation try to Engadine was well deserved but the premiership was heading to Campbelltown.
The Roos’ best were Twila Tofa, Moreton- Stewart, Sakari Ritchie and Taulaga Ropeti, with Vasa Filivao receiving a very well deserved player of the match award. (She is pictured here with Eric Grothe Junior after the grand final)
“This was a magnificent achievement playing great footy all season and being undefeated and then producing a near perfect performance in the grand final,’’ said Campbelltown City Kangaroos club director secretary Alex Melville.
“It’s a huge achievement for the club and the region.’’
