GROUP 21 added a John O’Halloran Shield to their trophy case while Group 4 annexed the Brazier Shield when the Greater Northern Under 16 and 18 Championships kicked off in hot conditions in Tamworth on Saturday.
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Group 21’s Under 16 side coached by the Hagan brothers, Tom, Ben and Dan, won both games, beating Group 19 50-10 and Group 30-22 while the Brad McManus-coached Group 4 Under 18s beat Group 19 32-14 and Group 21 20-6 to claim the Brazier Shield.
Both teams dominated selections in the Greater Northern Tiger Under 16 and 18 sides to begin their three-match Country Championship campaign at Armidale next month.
The GN Tiger Under 16 and 18s play East Coast Dolphins at Armidale on April 12, Central Coast at Scone and then Newcastle at Cessnock in their final match.
Group 4 coach McManus was delighted by his side’s efforts.
“They are a great bunch of kids,” he said after Barry Pratten handed over the Brazier Shield to group 4 skipper and fullback Hayden Loughrey. “They deserved to win it. They’ve done everything right and some of these kids have big futures if they stick with it.”
He said having 11 selected in the 20-player Tiger squad was testimony to their efforts.
Tom Hagan was equally as delighted with his Group 21 Under 16 side after 50-10 and 22-3 victories over Groups 19 and 4.
With older brothers Ben (assistant coach) and Dan (manager) he presided over a side that had limited preparation.
“No one gave them a chance,” Hagan said.
The players gave the Hagan trio and group 21 their best.
“Two good wins,” Hagan said.
“The boys came together well, outstanding for the limited training. No one else wanted to the job down home so we (Hagan trio) thought we’d have a go.”
He thought his halves Bailey Ellis (Singleton) and Jordan Allen (Scone) were outstanding along with props Max Greacen (Denman) and Lachlan Fry (Singleton).
