Central North and New England might have missed out on the silverware but there was success for several former local stars at the weekend’s Country Championships in Port Macquarie.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Former Central North reps Josh Stewart (Pirates) and Soni Halanukonuka (Walcha) helped Newcastle Hunter to Caldwell Cup success, while Gunnedah’s James Perrett, former Narrabri and Central North rep Kenny Anderson, and former Inverell Highlander Tom Woods were part of the Mid North Coast side which won an historic Richardson Shield.
The Axeman turned a 12-0 deficit into a 21-12 half-time lead before holding out a determined Far North Coast to win the zone’s first senior championship title 31-17.
Newcastle then dominated Illawarra 46-7 to reclaim the silverware they held for six years straight from 2008.
They had lost the last two finals to their steel city rivals but jumped out to a 17-0 lead on Sunday and never looked like being beaten.
“We got out to 17-0. I thought we were the better side. We were comfortable,” coach Stu Pinkerton said.
“In the second half we kept them scoreless. Our defence really held them in check and when we had the opportunity to score our backs were really slick. All weekend, both games, they were top-class.”
Stewart and Halanukonuka were among 11 debutants in the squad after linking up with Newcastle clubs.
For Stewart, the Caldwell Cup triumph was a long time coming after being involved in several unsuccessful campaigns with the Kookaburras.
