Rugby League Coaching Manuals

Wellington's under 18s have also booked a date at Apex Oval and are set to tackle arch-rivals Dubbo Macquarie.

With passion and pride on the line yesterday at Kennard Park the first grade home side was too strong for Dubbo's Macquarie Raiders and an on-the-buzzer final try by young gun Corey Stanley helped the Cowboys seal the deal with a 12-point victory.

The Cowboys were up 4-0 just 12 minutes into the match after Steve Ryan set up fullback Richard Peckham to cross the line and give the home side an early advantage.

Macquarie winger Lawrence Fogg levelled the score, before ex-Wellington boy Adam McDermott helped the Raiders charge ahead and with Dubbo captain-coach converting the try the visitors had a healthy 10 points to four lead.

Wellington hit back almost immediately with centre Rian Humphries scoring beneath the posts, setting up for an easy conversion kicked by Damien Kelly.

Three minutes later a Trent Forrest pass to Chris Thompson saw the lock also cross under the posts and, with Kelly's boot again successful, the Cowboys seemed fit to gun down the Raiders.

Moments after coming off the bench Stanley bagged his first of three tries - which Kelly converted - and the Cowboys rode into half-time leading 22-10.

The visitors hit the paddock running and barely one minute into the second stanza Macquarie winger Anthony Toomey crossed Wellington turf and with the captain-coach converting the Raiders were just one converted try away from the Cowboys.

Determined not to let the Raiders creep closer Cowboys captain Nathan Smith posted four more points on the table to see the Cowboys up by 10. With 20 minutes remaining Macquarie second-rower Kyle Webb bagged his side's final try of the match, which again was converted by Stott. From here it was all Wellington but a forward pass denied Kelly a try after some quick ball plays and good teamwork. In the far right corner Stanley leaped high in the air to snatch the ball from Macquarie's reach and snared his second try.

The under 18s player was all class and wrapped things up on the final bell with his hat-trick of tries and by then no-one cared about conversions as the home side celebrated being one win away from Group 11 glory.

The excited Cowboys coach was rapt with how the team played and was full of praise for the entire team.

"Our two forwards Chris Thompson and Nathan Smith had a great game and ‘Scutter' (Smith) led by example," Blackhall said. "Trent (Forrest) doesn't know what he's capable of but it was a combined effort that brought the win to us.

"This is finals football. I spoke about the brotherhood before and I'll say it again. It's about being there for each other and playing as a team and that's what we did here today."