GROUP 19 Women and the Hunter Valley Group 21 under-23 men won their respective Greater Northern Championships with unbeaten runs at Scone Park on Saturday.
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The Paul Martin-coached Group 19 women prevailed after beating Group 4 Bushrangers 12-10 and Hunter Valley Group 21 24-8, while the Gary Gardner-coached Hunter Valley Group 21 followed a 30-18 win over the Group 4 Bushrangers with a 48-18 win over Group 19 to claim their title.
Greater Northern Region Area Manager Scott Bone said the women’s title was particularly close between Group 19 and Group 4.
“Only two points in their game,” Bone said.
“Group 4 might have panicked a little. The men’s game between Group 4 and 21 was pretty good too. Group 4 led but 21 finished strong and then had a big win over 19. Led 30-6 at halftime before winning 48-18 to win the Jim Sharpe Cup.”
The Bushrangers started their quest for the Jane Walmsley Cup with a 36-6 win over Group 21.
Jamie Blackler crossed for a double with Aimee Diebold, Jessica Baker, Brianna Trickett, Kimberley Resch and Jesse Brown also crossing for four pointers.
The Damien Allan-coached side then wasted some good chances in the narrow but critical loss to eventual winners Group 19, Alyce Walsh crossing three times in that game for Group 19.
“The girls played pretty well,” Allan said.
“We were just a bit lethargic the second game. Group 19 played well too. We just didn’t take our chances while 19 did.”
The Bushrangers had some consolation for their near miss with seven players selected in the Greater Northern Tigers to play in the opening Country Championship round in Lismore next month. Mick Schmiedel will coach that side while Peter Stevens is in charge of the Greater Northern Tigers under-23 men.
Stevens will spearhead a men’s side dominated by Group 21 after it’s two good wins.
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Group 4 had started its title quest well and led Group 21 by 12 at half time.
“The boys started well,” coach Paul Hyson said.
“Led 18-6 at halftime but we didn’t do too much the second half. Had a few chances but wasted them.”
Group 4 then beat Group 19 24-14 to finish well but the second half in its loss to Group 21 proved costly.
“The boys went very well. They defended well and scrambled well, just made a few mistakes in that second half,” assistant coach Nathan Blacklock said.
“They did well to find connections and they did play well that second game.”
Hyson said they did well to combine well in their first hit out but was disappointed just three – Zach Leonard, Mitch Doring and Mitch Sheridan – made it into the Tigers squad.
Group 21 dominated the representative side with 12 of the 18-man squad.
GREATER NORTHERN LADIES LEAGUE TAG SIDE: Aimee Diebold, Jess Baker, Amy Barraclough, Jesse Brown, Kimberley Resch, Bronte Harris, Hope Martin (Group 4), Jordan Mackenzie, Alyce Walsh, Camilla Clydsdale, Vicki Youman, Codie Ryan, Deborah McGrady (Group 19), Shae Pemberton, Sofie Casson (Group 21). Coach – Mick Schmiedel.
GREAT NORTHERN UNDER 23 MEN: Bailey Taylor, Will Nieuwenhuise, Hamish Wolfgang, Timothy Bridge, James Bradley, Dylan Thorn, Jarrod Wicks, Jordan Mulherin, Brady Benkovic, Bailey Wooden, Samuel Fitzsimmons, Cameron French (Group 21), Zach Leonard, Mitch Doring, Mitch Sheridan (Group 4), James Ballinger, Scott Macintyre, Brett Wright (Group 19). Coach – Peter Stevens.