Tamworth claimed successive NSW Masters Over 50s Championship titles with a one-goal win over Inverell at Grafton on the weekend.
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It was a tight tussle between the two northern sides, who were both undefeated and had topped their respective pools, the Frogs prevailing 4-3 to clinch the Division 2 silverware.
Tamworth manager Ian Woodley, who also strapped on the shin pads over the weekend, said they knew the final would be a tough game as it proved to be.
“They were very good and it was to and fro,” he said.
The Frogs led 2-1 at half-time, but Inverell struck first in the second half to get back to 2-all.
Tamworth then jumped out to a 4-2 lead only for the Sapphire City side to hit back with just under five minutes remaining and make it a one-goal game.
“Their game plan was really hard to counter-act,” Woodley said.
“They had a structure that was a bit unconventional to the rest of the competition.”
He said at half-time they were able to re-work their game plan. A couple of moments of brilliance from Rick Ambrose and Paul Topfer also helped. Both were prominent in attack over the weekend and scored a couple of “brilliant goals”.
Woodley also attributed the result to “really hard work in defence” and shutting down the Inverell midfield.
They only had two subs for the weekend, which made things tough.
The Frogs were stepping up to Division 2 after winning Division 3 last year, and were dominant through the pool games scoring 18 goals and conceding just one from their six games.