Chris Skilton was named in the Waratah League All Star Five on Saturday night. Photo: Grant Robertson 040812GRB07
TAMWORTH Thunderbolts captain Chris Skilton received some consolation for his side’s loss in the Waratah League grand final on Sunday.
The night before the decider he was named in the All Star Five for the competition, an acknowledgement of his efforts throughout the season, at the Waratah League awards night in Maitland.
He was one of the main reasons Tamworth made it to the final for the first time in more than a decade.
On Saturday the Bolts qualified for the final with a 12-point win over Wagga Wagga in the semi-finals.
After trailing by a point at three-quarter time, the Bolts lifted in the last term with Skilton leading the way.
That set up a final against another team from the northern division, Coffs Harbour.
Tamworth had beaten Coffs in Tamworth just a month ago and took some confidence into the big one.
But Coffs started well and led 45-28 at halftime.
The Bolts ensured the third was more even but the lead was too much to peg back and Coffs went on to win 91-61.
Matt Shanahan (28) and Alex Desroches (25) were the game’s high scorers for Coffs while Tamworth’s leading scorers were Reece Craigie and Josh Deland with 13 each.
All Star Five: Aaron Marsh (Hawkesbury Jets), Daryl Pepito (Hornsby Spiders), Chris Skilton (Tamworth Thunderbolts), Brett Foster (Bankstown Bruins), Erik Olsen (Wagga Wagga Heat).