BATHURST'S under 12s and 16s boys sides are in celebration mode following the concluding round of the Western NSW Football Youth League played across the region on Sunday.
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The under 12s completed a memorable unbeaten season by scoring the points in a winner-takes-all clash against the Orange Tigers while the 16s got home on goal differential thanks to a big win in their last clash.
Bathurst under 13s were unfortunate to miss out on the top prize, edged out on goal difference after finishing level on the table with Dubbo.
Bathurst coaching co-ordinator Phil Bromhead said the cities juniors did a great in what has been a challenging year for every player involved.
"Considering we didn't run that many teams throughout the competition, we still had under 12s go undefeated, 12s girls finish third, 13s boys second on a countback, 14s boys go second and 16s boys win their comp," he said.
"Across the board you'd call that quite a successful year considering it's been such an unusual season, to say the least."
Bathurst's clubs were excited for the junior representative season following their good runs at pre-season events.
But, after the challenges COVID-19 threw everyone's way, many are just grateful to even get any significant match time in 2020.
"Most of them played in the Proctor Park Challenge and Bathurst Cup in February but then they haven't played anything until July and August where they're smashing out a one round season of Youth League, then it's all over again," Bromhead said.
"It's great to get them a run and give them time on the park. Now it's about getting ready for next season."
The under 12s clash between Bathurst and Orange Tigers was a highlight of the weekend, with the former coming out 1-0 winners from a tough battle.
Under 12s manager Trevor Sim said it was a treat to watch the team pull through in a close contest.
"A draw or better would have got us the title but to come away with a win was really good," he said.
"The credit goes to Dave Sutton, the coach, who has had the team together for three years since under 10x. He's been able to build the team up strongly over the past few years. They're a very talented side and this result was great to see.
"We went to have our second and final trial when COVID hit and then we may have only had two to three training sessions together due to the weather and ground availability. They've done very well."