TAMWORTH’S first hosting of the State Indoor Championships was a winning one with a title and handful of state team selections.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The A boys supplied the silverware, adding to Tamworth’s growing indoor trophy collection by taking out Division 1 of the weekend’s U13 boys’ and girls’ carnival.
They hauled in a two-goal deficit to beat Illawarra 3-2.
Captain Ehren Hazell slotted all three goals and was brilliant all weekend. Connor Campbell and Matt Scott both also had strong
tournaments.
Scott hadn’t had a lot of indoor experience, neither had Brady Curry.
He was good down the right in the final and really created a lot of opportunities in the last 15 minutes. At least two of their goals were the result of his work.
Calvin Farmilo also cut out a lot of play at the back, and with Scott and Alex Taggart will back up next year.
Their efforts headlined Tamworth’s efforts but all four sides performed well with the A girls reaching the semi-final in Division 1.
They were beaten by eventual champions Macarthur 2-1 in what was a very even match, coach Greg Doolan said.
“We led 1-nil at half-time and probably should have been a bit further ahead,” Doolan said.
They then had a chance to stretch their lead early in the second half but couldn’t convert.
“Macarthur from there had a better second half and put away their chances,” Doolan said.
It saw them finish fourth behind Sydney after they had beaten them 3-nil on Saturday on top of their pool.
“It was our worst game of the tournament,” Doolan said.
“We were asleep.
“We didn’t do the running, weren’t aggressive enough and turned over too much ball.”
Still it was a good effort after stepping up from Division 2 last year.
The Tamworth B girls were also beaten in the semi-finals, pipped by Orange 1-nil, while the B boys lost to Grafton in their play-off game in Division 2.
New England also played in Division 2 and after finishing second in their pool went down to title winners Port Macquarie in their semi-final
5-4.
“We were always behind, but Port Macquarie played well,” coach Blair Chalmers said.
They (Port) played with no subs and took their opportunities.
Four of their five goals came from short corners.
“(But) All our boys did really well,” Chalmers said.
He was particularly happy with the way they kept to their structure and created opportunities when things went against them.
The B boys were up against the likes of Parkes and Dubbo in Division 3.
They didn’t pick up a win but did take home the play the whistle award.
The New England A girls played North Shore in the play-offs, while the B girls just missed the play-offs.
Tamworth’s Emily Chaffey, Minnie Arnott, Abigail Doolan, Gabbi D’Ambros, Steph Worpel, Breeanna Curry, (Brady) Curry, Hazell and Connor Campbell, and New England’s Bronte Walsh and Darcy Chalmers were later named in the four state sides.
