JASON Boney reckons it was an easy job being captain of Dubbo CYMS under-18s this season.
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On Sunday in front of a huge crowd at No.1 Oval, CYMS shut down a second-half comeback by Macquarie Raiders to win handsomely, 42-18.
CYMS had been minor premiers after losing just one game (to Macquarie) in the rounds and then did everything right through the finals series.
"Everyone did their job and that made it easy for me," Boney said after accepting the premiership trophy from Dubbo RSL Club chairman Tom Gray and board member Jim Lang.
"The forwards were good all season and got a roll on and we had the backs to go well.
"But today's grand final was as tough as we expected but it was good to get the win up."
In a very good side, with good players from one through to the bench, coach Justin Yeo gave Boney the job of being captain and half-back and it's worked out well for everyone around him.
"We were really focused at the start, got a nice roll on and a good lead, but they came back and we had to really dig deep midway through that second half," Boney said.
"We were only six points ahead at one stage and they unnerved us a bit with their tactics but we knew that was probably going to happen so were able to overcome that obstacle and finish the better side."
CYMS led 18-0 and then 24-6 at half-time before creative Raiders five-eighth Swade Dunn led a comeback that saw the underdogs back in the game trailing by just 24-18 with the 14 minutes left on the clock.
But CYMS broke the shackles in the run through to the final siren and racked up another 18 points to nothing.
While Boney was one of the smallest players on the field, he was big in heart and how could you question the courage of the other 'little' guys in the side - hooker Alex Bonham, lock Ben Marlin and second-rower Jordan Reynolds.
Player of the grand final Lincoln Kavanagh, Bill Sing and Isaah Yeo may have got most of the plaudits during the season but this was a true team effort and it was a nice touch in the closing stages when Coach Yeo had all his reserves take the field to enjoy the moment.
Down the other end of the field Raiders coach Greg Edwards said missed tackles proved costly.
"The first half was a bit of a disaster, then we got back into the game then did some silly things and paid for them," he said.
"Still, CYMS were the better team on the day.
"This grand final was a real experience for most of these kids and they'll learn from that.
"Most of our side will be available next year and hopefully they'll take what they've learnt today and use it to advantage next season."
Edwards said CYMS second-rower Lincoln Kavanagh killed them in the first half, setting up two tries.
The coach said his hooker Luke Kennedy was one of his best, while Swade Dunn at five-eighth was clever.
"Everyone tried, but we weren't up to the task," he said.
