SIX Greater Northern Under 18s celebrate an AAMi Country Under 18 Championship success by touring Queensland next month with Scone’s Aaron Watts as coach.
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The six GN Tigers – Callum Hayne, Jordan Press, Mitch Doring, Zac Faulkner, Ryan Holman, and Brad Johnston – starred in Sunday’s 42-24 Country Championship Final win over Central Coast.
Press was electric, his first try a product of a brilliant burst of speed from the Uralla teenager.
He finished with two tries and was delighted with the success.
“It was a tough game,” the versatile 18-year-old said.
“It was a big team effort.”
Press has been playing a variety of positions for the Uralla Under 18 and A Grade sides in Group 19.
GN Tiger five-eighth Mitch Doring also had a big final, crossing for three tries and could have easily had a couple more. He had a hand in a few near misses as well.
The West Lions 18-year-old was “very happy” with the win and Country selection.
“I did play last year too,” Doring told The Leader.
“It was good to win this final and also make the Country side. I’m very happy about that.
“We got a good start today. Central Coast had a big forward pack and it was just a matter of taking the puff out of them.”
Jordan Press, he said, was unbelievable.
“He’s the best and quickest centre I’ve seen for a while.”
Mitch was on a contact with Parramatta.
“But I lost that. Hopefully I’ll pick up another one from another NRL club.
“But now we’re off to Rockhampton. I just hope to keep playing well for that.”
He did with a strong game, including scoring a try, in Sunday’s 34-32 first grade win over Narrabri Blues.
Brayden Gallagher was another to shine , backing up on Sunday for his Glen Innes club side.
Gallgher scored three tries for the Magpie Under 18s in their 38-18 win over Tingha.
AAMI COUNTRY 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).
