North West strength on show as both representative rugby league teams bring home medals

Two teams of young men from across the North West travelled to Perth to battle it out against other junior rugby league clubs from around WA in the Junior State Championships from September 30 to October 2.

The North West Reds boys U13s and U15s team fought hard over the three days of furious competition at Charlotte’s Sports Pavilion in Ellenbrook with the U13s coming in third place and the U15s coming second.

In a stunning upset, the North West Reds U15s team knocked the favourites Northern Fusion off their perch to secure a spot in the team’s first Junior State Championship grand final.

Unfortunately the team’s victory streak ended there as they came second best in the grand final to the Southern Pride side, 0 to 26.

Charlie Bannister from Karratha was named the most valuable player in the U15s team for the competition alongside coach’s pick Kai Kirkwood from Karratha and most improved player Jonah Marr from Newman.

The North West Reds U13s team punched well above their weight against the other teams as well making it all the way to the semifinals before their grand final hopes were snuffed out by Southern Pride, 56 to 0.

The most valuable player in the U13s team was Kununurra boy Jimmy Fletcher with Lincoln Musto from Karratha named the most improved player and Tahj Kirkwood also from Karratha selected as the coach’s pick.

North West Reds Junior State Championships co-ordinator Kyle Watkins said he was extremely proud of the players who came from all over the Pilbara and Kimberley to make up the two North West Reds sides.

“We came second in the U15s and third in the U13s but we fought hard,” he said.

“Thanks to all our sponsors, our coaches Matty Corpus Brent Musto and Derek Stoney and all the parents as this can not happen without them.”

“I look forward to seeing all the lads and some new faces as well in Broome for the next training camp to get ready for the State Championships in April.”

The North West Reds training camp will run in early November.