Vipers president Martin Power could see plenty of positives despite two close Western Women’s Rugby League grand finals losses at Ann Ashwood Park in Bathurst on Saturday, November 16.

The Wayne Hill-coached Vipers’ under-14s side went down to Wiradjuri Goannas 26-14 while the Vipers’ under-16s, coached by Anthony Simmons, lost 16-12 to Lachlan District.

In a slice of good news on the day, Vipers’ under-18s halfback Georgie Barrett was named best and fairest for the Western Women’s Rugby League in that competition.

Power said the WWRL under-14s decider was a quality affair where late mistakes hurt Vipers.

Goannas prop Nakita Volivakarua was named player of the grand final and best and fairest for the under-14s competition.

Power said fullback April Gardiner, Darcey Biddle (prop) and Mackenzie Thornberry-Ruddy (hooker) were three of Vipers’ best in the under-14s side.

“It blew out a little bit at the end,” Power said of the under-14s grand final.

“It was a good game to watch

“We did score the first few tries and looked in control, but mistakes hurt both sides. Goannas made less mistakes later in the game and were able to get in front.

“The girls have had a good season.”

The under-16s contest was even closer with both sides scoring three tries.

Grace Macgregor, the Lachlan five-eighth, was named best and fairest on grand final day and also player of the competition in that grade.

Juliette Whyburn (prop), Zahli Millsteed (lock) and five-eighth Daisy Bohringer were three of Vipers’ best.

“It was another really good game, hard and fast,” Power reported.

“It was one I thought our girls would win... but Lachlan played well, good luck to them.

“It was tit-for-tat, there was nothing between both sides, a really good battle between two evenly-matched teams.

In the other WWRL grand finals played on Saturday, Panorama Platypi made it four straight open women’s premierships when they defeated Goannas 32-18.

In under-18s, Goannas defeated Panorama 28-22 and in the under-12s Lachlan District defeated Panorama 10-8.

Power concluded by stating while it’s nice to win grand finals, having four sides in the semi-finals and around 120 registered players in total shows the Vipers club continues to move forward.

“It was another good season... it’s not all about results, we have a lot of girls playing (rugby league) which is fantastic,” Power said.

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Western Women’s under-14s grand final: Goannas 26 (Nakita Volivakarua 2, Markyhia Barwick, Sianna Hull, Maleigha Jeffries, Martha Uluivuya tries; Torah Brien goal) defeated Vipers 14 (April Gardiner, Grace Goodlock, Azahra Lyden tries; Tessa Hill goal)

Western Women’s under-16s grand final: Lachlan District 16 (Joan Carolan, Kailei Cole, Ashlee Trim tries; Ruby Jones 2 goals) defeated Vipers 12 (Jemma Jones 2, Jayanna Dixon tries)