AN “awesome” training session has the Tamworth Thunderbolts poised to crunch a home double header in the Tamworth Sports Dome this weekend.
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The John Ireland-coached Thunderbolts host Port Macquarie Dolphins tonight and the Bellinger Valley Braves tomorrow morning in crucial Waratah State League Division 1 men’s games.
The Thunderbolts enter the weekend with four wins from seven games and determined to win both games against their fellow Pool A Div 1 teams.
Port Macquarie Dolphins head the pool with three wins from four games while the Braves have lost all three.
“It’s a big double header for us,” Ireland said.
“But I’m really excited about it.
“They are crucial games for us but we had an awesome training session last night (Thursday).
“The guys worked their butts in defence so we can play solid quarters of defence (in both games) this weekend.
“If we can win both games it will leave us in a good position too and also give us something of a mental advantage over the Dolphins because we go over there next week.
“So if we can hammer them here we might have them in a bad mental frame of mind next week.
“I am confident we can get the job done.”
Thursday night’s training session has enhanced Ireland’s SL hopes, so much so he has selected two squads for the weekend, one for tonight’s Dolphin clash and then a second, resting a couple of players, for tomorrow’s Braves game (tip off 11am).
“The’s the good thing about the way we trained,” he said.
“We had 14 players there, all training hard.
“And we have 14 players who could make the court at any stage and play a role .
“What we are trying to do is find the right combinations to take us into the playoffs.”
His main priority will be to find the best defensive unit possible.
“We’re looking for the best team to give us the best shot at a State League title,” he said.
The Tamworth Thunderbolt women start the weekend with a 5pm SL match against Port Macquarie. The men follow at 7pm and complete the weekend with tomorrow morning’s SL match against the Braves (11am tip off).
THUNDERBOLTS (v Port Dolphins tonight): 4 Luke Krug, 5 Matt Monckton, 7 Max Chillingworth, 8 Phil Sobieszuk, 9 Justin Leehy, 10 Jonny Miller, 11 Laurence York, 12 David Bourke (capt), 13 Rhys Chillingworth, 14 Cody Miller.
THUNDERBOLTS (v Bellinger Valley Braves tomorrow morning): 4 Luke Krug, 5 Matt Monckton, 6 Joe Hassn, 7 Jayden Pryor, 8 Phil Sobieszuk, 9 Justin Leehy, 10 Jonny Miller, 11 Laurence York, 12 David Bourke (capt), 13 Rhys Chillingworth, 14 Ben Eather.