GREATER Northern celebrated one of its most rewarding days at Scully Park on Saturday when the division’s Under 16 and 18 sides both won AAMI Country Championships.
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The Under 16s beat Western Rams 34-6 and then the Under 18s defeated Central Coast 42-24.
As a further reward both sides had six players named in Country Under 16 and 18 teams to tour Queensland next month.
Greater Northern chairman Barry Pratten was delighted and a proud president after Saturday’s brilliant efforts.
“We’re very proud of both sides,” Pratten said.
“The 16s were amazing, their defence was terrific. They didn’t let Western into the game. Our boys were great and there were some great performances there.
“They deserved to have six in the Country side.
“The 18s struggled for a while after a good start.”
He said the Matt Parsons-coached side let Central Coast back into the game but showed great resolve to kick back from 24-all to win 42-24.
He was delighted for the Under 16 side, coached by Gary Jones and Mark Wilton after they had lost last year’s final.
“The two props were great, Harrison Buhler and Phil Quinlan,” he said of the GN 16s.
“I thought Quinlan was the best player on the field. And the fullback Hayden Loughrey also had a big game as well.
“It was just a big day for Greater Northern.”
GN had Hayden Loughrey, Brad Collett, Jesse Hourn, Josh Bermingham, Harrison Buhler and Phillip Quinlan all named in the Country side under coach Reece Simmonds to play Queensland Under 16s at Browne Park, Rockhampton on Saturday, July 12.
The Matt Parsons-coached GN Under 18s had Callum Hayne, Jordan Press, Mitch Doring, Zac Faulkner, Ryan Holman and Brad Joihnston selected in the Country Under 18s to be coached by Scone’s Aaron Watts.
They also play Queensland Under 18s at Browne Park, Rockhampton on Saturday, July 12.
AAMI COUNTRY UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
GREATER NORTHERN 34 (Josh Bermingham 2, Harrison Buhler 2, Brad Collet, Jake Harman tries, Cameron Howard 4, Jack Jeffery gls) d WESTERN RAMS 6 (Mitchell Andrews try, Jesse Parker gl)
NSW COUNTRY UNDER 16: 1 Hayden Loughrey (Farrer), 2 Brad Collett (Muswellbrook), 3 Jesse Hourn (Singleton), 4 Blake Andrews (Wyong), 5 Ethan Niszczot (Morpeth), 6 Joe Oliver (Temora), 7 Isaac Thompson (Narromine), 8 John Bastick (Orange CYMS), 9 Nic Lawrence (Greta Branxton), 10 Luke Skidmore (Temora), 11 Luke Westman (Corrimal), 12 William Burns (Parkes), 13 Mathew Woolnough (Red Bend), 14 Josh Bermingham (Farrer), 15 Philip Quinlan (Armidale), 16 Hayden Lomax (Temora), 17 Harrison Buhler (Farrer), Graham Peckham (Wellington). Coach Reece Simmons.
AAMI COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER 18 FINAL
GREATER NORTHERN 42 (Mitch Doring 3, Jordan Press 2, Hamish Wolfgang, Mitch Lennon, Tom Say tries, Ryan Holman 5gls) d CENTRAL COAST 24 (Broydn Mills 2, Rob Rodger 2 tries, Adam Keighran 4gls).
NSW COUNTRY UNDER 18: Callum Hayne (North Tamworth) , 2 Damian Carriace (Macksville), 3 Jordan Press (Uralla) 4 Jack Hetherington (Temora), 5 Broydn Mills (The Entrance), 6 Adam Keighran (Wyong), 7 Mitch Doring (West Lions), 8 Jaimin Jolliffe (Wagga), 9 Billy Gilbert (Leeton), 10 Zac Faulkner (North Tamworth), 11 Connor Cheesman (Port City Breakers), 12 Ryan Holman (Muswellbrook), 13 Luke Marks (Lakes), 14 Robbie Rodger (Wyong), 15 Brad Johnston (North Tamworth), 16 Wade Aitken (Merimbula), 17 Jack Parrish (Berry), 18 Daniel Bell (Ourimbah). Coach - Aaron Watts (Scone).
