Kestrels 45 Selby 36

Kestrels overcame the challenge of Selby with a blistering first half performance with the elements in their favour.
Kestrels with just one defeat all season got off to a storming start , Braden Hunter powered away to score under the posts, adding a conversion to give Kestrels a 7-0 lead after 1 minute. Selby were playing into the wind and struggling to get out of their own half. On 13 minutes , Ollie Clark burrowed over from close range on the right for an unconverted try, 12-0. The tries kept coming, on 20 minutes, Will Denham rumbled forward at a driving maul and crashed over for the 3rd try, Hunter adding the goal, 19-0. On 30 minutes, Kestrels domination was almost complete with the bonus point try from Number 8 Ben Etchells, Hunter again added the goal 26-0. Next to cross the whitewash on 35 minutes was flanker Sam Cheney, Hunter landing his 4th goal in 5 attempts and Kestrels led 33-0
Selby manufactured a try of their own on 38 minutes which was converted 33-7 at the half time break.
With the wind at their backs , could Selby make inroads into a 26 point lead or was that too much to expect? Selby didn't help their cause on 47 minute when Kestrels replacement Jacob Softly took possession around the half way line and battered his way down the left centre channel leaving defenders in his wake for a fine try , Hunter was narrowly wide with the kick 38-7. Selby then had their best spell of the game , running in some impressive long range tries on 51 minutes which was converted 38-14 , further unconverted tries followed on 57, 66 and 68 minutes reducing arrears to 38-29.
The next try would seal the destiny of the match and it was Kestrels replacement George Speight who went on a rampaging run to score a try , converted by Hunter to give Kestrels a 45-29 lead on 70 minutes. Was there any time for Selby to make late come back? Well, they got a converted try on 75 minutes to make the score 45-36, but needed 2 more scores and despite threatening on the next attack, the referee penalised Selby for not releasing in a tackle and when the ball next went dead, the game was over. Kestrels 45 Selby 36 and the celebrations could begin, Kestrels had reached the summit and stayed there all season, just 1 defeat and 2 draws from 18 games and they were crowned deserved champions!!!