GROUP 4 have gone back-to-back in both divisions of the Greater Northern Championships, defending their crown in both the men’s and ladies league tag as both squads scored good victories over Groups 21 and 19 at Jack Woolaston Oval on Sunday.
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The Bushrangers won the title last year after a five-year hiatus and turned up looking to defend the hard-earned title, taking on the northern Group 19 side in the morning to record a big 48-20 victory.
Group 19 then played Group 21 and despite leading 22-20 at the break, Group 21 surged back to run over the top of their opposition, leaving them scoreless in the second half to run away with the game 52-22 and set up a grand final of sorts with the hosts. Group 4 didn’t take long to get on the board with a Jake McManus try in the right corner, although Group 21 hit straight back as back rower Tim Watson evened it up two minutes later, the conversion giving the visitors the early lead.
Group 21 then capitalised on another Group 4 mistake after a bomb was put to down on their line, good hands from Scone winger Josh Adams putting Hamish Wolfgang in the corner to go up 10-4.
That was the last point scored in the half, as both sides settled into the grind, although it was a bit scrappy as both teams struggled with ball security and let each other off the hook a few times.
The Bushrangers overcame a few more missed opportunities at the start of the second half, before dummy half Brock Wadwell found Gunnedah’s Danny Read five metres out with no one in front of him to score under the posts and lock the game up at 10 all.
Five minutes later, Wadwell’s eyes lit up as he saw the defensive line split, the Norths utility ducking over from dummy half to take the lead, before launching a huge 40/20 next set to consolidate.
Group 21s five-eight Justin Apthorpe was then sent off for dissent, and despite getting repeat sets on the Bushrangers line couldn’t break through the stiff defence as Group 4 held on to take the Jim Sharpe Cup.
Coach Wayne Griffiths said that the gutsy win was a reflection of the squad’s character this season.
“We picked a young, enthusiastic and fit side that just kept chipping away,” Griffiths said.
“They were patient and waited for their opportunities.”
“They enjoyed their footy and had a good win and that is what it is all about.”
Group 4 had nine players named in the men’s Greater Northern Tigers squad, while the Group 4 girls also dominated the first ever female Tigers’ side with seven players selected.
The girls did it easier than the men winning the day on the back of their defence, with only one try scored against them in two games as they beat Group 19 20-6 before belting Group 21 36-nil to take the Jane Walmsley Shield.
