SCORING two tries in a winning grand final side - it was little wonder Bathurst Bulldogs winger Kirsten Howard was smiling on Saturday morning.
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Howard's speed and finishing skills were just one of a host of highlights as the Bulldogs held off the Orange Emus at Ashwood Park to post a 34-28 win and be crowned the Ferguson Cup champions.
"Two tries - who would of thought? It was a great game, it was so good to come away with a win," she said.
"It was just so incredible. To be able to play with country representatives, Central West representatives, an Australian representative in Jakiya - how often do you get to do that?"
It was that combination with Jakiya Whitfeld, who scored two tries herself and was named player of the match, which was one of the critical factors in Bulldogs' success.
While Emus started stronger, Bulldogs led at quarter-time after Whitfeld and Howard combined on the right edge.
Howard nabbed her brace from range - her pace seeing her slice through the Emus defence deep inside her own half - with 92 seconds left of the third quarter.
"I think we applied pressure, I think we answered their call, I think we sent our own message but it wasn't without reply from them," she said.
"I think we were confident in our abilities, I think we backed ourselves and whatever would be would be, but we knew we'd give it a red hot crack at it.
"That was way too close for comfort at the end, it definitely would have made for some good watching. But it was amazing to win it."
