THE LBK Solicitors Friday Night rugby competition wrapped up for 2014 on Tuesday with Tamworth Public School taking out the primary division.
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TPS was undefeated all season and adapted to the wet conditions better to run away with it in the second half 34-10.
It followed a big finals night at Ken Chillingworth Oval on Friday night with the 13s, 14s, 15s and 16s champions all decided.
McCarthy had a good night, getting up in the 14s and 15s finals.
Farrer won the 16s and in the opening final of the night, Calrossy Anglican School reeled in an early 14-nil deficit to beat McCarthy 17-14 in the 13s.
“We’re traditionally slow starters,” Calrossy coach Hugh Howey said.
They had beaten the combined Oxley/Carinya/Farrer team 17-15 on Tuesday to get into the final, and found themselves on the backfoot early, with McCarthy scoring two converted tries inside the first 10 minutes.
Once they finally got possession and were able to maintain possession, they started to get on top and, by half-time, had got to a three-point lead.
Howey said with some very good outside backs they wanted to try to play a wide game.
But for that to happen the forwards had to set the platform, which they did.
They really lifted after that initial period and played well, Howey said, laying the groundwork for the backs to work their magic.
Centres Sam Buster and Mitchell Clarke both had big games with Clarke scoring twice and Buster crossing for their other try.
Neither side was able to add to their points in the second half, although both had their chances.
Calrossy probably had the better of them.
“I think we were on top in the second half,” Howey said.
He said they had a couple of good chances but just made a mistake close to the line trying to push for the try.
“We should have been more patient,” he said.
Along with Buster and Clarke, Harry Summers was exceptional at the front of the lineout, stealing a couple against the throw.
The 14s final saw McCarthy and Carinya go head to head in a game that went from end to end.
McCarthy in the end proved too strong, winning 33-15.
They were then strongly favoured to win the 15s encounter with Farrer Green but didn’t find it easy.
The Farrer boys made them work for their points and it wasn’t until the back end of the game that McCarthy skipped away to get home 17-12.
Farrer had been the dominant force in the 16s but were tested by a Peel High side on the improve under the coaching of Heath Pett.
It was very tight early, with Farrer scoring against the run of play to jump to an early lead.
They then ran in back to back tries and Peel never recovered, with Farrer running out 24-7 victors.