A GRUELLING schedule of matches, played in searing heat on Monday, proved no obstacle to championship success for the Bendigo Braves under-14 division two team at its hometown Bendigo Junior Classic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The team - coached by Ben Caruana - had to negotiate a series of four tough matches on the final day of the annual three-day tournament, played over the Australia Day long weekend.
Their 27-21 grand final victory over YM Lakers Clark capped an undefeated tournament for the young Braves, who won all five of their Pool A qualifying round matches, plus three finals.
Max Connick led the way for the Braves in the grand final with a team-high eight points.
Connick also contributed an equal team-high five points, alongside Nicholas Harvey, in the Braves' 22-16 semi-final win against Sunbury Jets.
A hectic Monday started with a convincing 48-9 win over Bacchus March, highlighted by all 10 players hitting the scoresheet, followed by a tough 27-22 quarter final victory over Warrnambool Seahawks White at St Liborius.
In a remarkable display of toughness and durability, the Braves' four Monday games were played at two venues, across a nine-hour period, from 8am onwards.
The division two under-14s was one of two Braves teams to notch grand final wins.
They were joined by the club's third-tier under-18 team, which also won a division two title.
The Braves' under-12 girls reached the grand final in division one, but finished runners-up to Wodonga Wolves following a 9-16 loss.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
