A PERFECTLY weighted James Marshman kick and a footrace won by Tamworth Public School flyer Blair Maloney on the bell was all the Magpies needed to win the State Knockout inter-regional final over North Coast’s Kendall Public 10-8.
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A fortnight ago the team did the same thing to Moree East to win the regional championship 18-16, as Kendall Public School beat Terranora Public to win the North Coast division.
On Friday the two sides met in Tamworth for the inter-regional final and a tough, fast and very close encounter ensued.
The visitors opened the scoring with a well worked try down the edge.
TPS hit back shortly when Vanda Erich crossed, but Kendall answered straight back to go into the break up 8-6.
The second half was another for the forwards as the game got bogged down in the middle.
Both packs stood up and were causing turnovers to go both ways with good hits up front and even better cover tackles.
Neither side could break the other’s defence, although TPS were camped on the Kendall line in the dieing minutes.
With two minutes to play and the sideline erupting a penalty was awarded to TPS and the Kendall waterboy was sent from the field.
The home team launched one more attacking raid with some barging runs from Jack Chegwyn and good ball play from Alex Hawkins.
Marshman called for the ball on the final tackle and dropped it behind the Kendall line on the left side rolling towards the ingoal.
Maloney took off and ran around the outside of two players to pick the ball up and wrestle it to the ground to score the try and win the game.
“It was a bit of luck and a good kick from James,” Maloney said.
TPS coach Kevin Squires said the boys kept their heads up and earnt the victory.
“We went to the semi five years ago and now we are going again,” Squires said.
“If they are at their best we will go close.”
TPS will now play a semi final for a chance at a NSW title against a side yet to be announced.
It was a good week for TPS who beat West Tamworth in the Touch Football Knockout on Thursday, and also played and beat William Cowper in a rugby semifinal on Friday night, a few boys playing in all three sides.
n Farrer tackle Endeavour Sports High in a massive GIO Schoolboys Cup quarter-final clash at Penrith tomorrow. Farrer beat St Gregory’s Campbelltown 26-10 to reach the final eight but will face a tough assignment against Endeavour. They welcome back to two of their stars with prop Zac Faulkner and lock Angus McTavish both set to return from injury.
FARRER
1. Hayden Loughrey, 2. Matt Thompson, 3. Tye Barry, 4. Trent Eather, 5. Cameron Howard, 6. Josh Bermingham, 7. Tom Say (c), 8. Brad Johnston (vc), 9. Corey Manicaros, 10. Zac Faulkner, 11. Matt Merrick, 12. Jack Ticehurst, 13. Angus McTavish, 14. Blake Withers, 15. Charlie Altus, 16. James Fisk, 17. Harrison Buhler.
