The under 20s beat Sonics 10-2 in a quarter-final before beating Warriors 3-1 in a semi-final to set up a showdown with the Tigers, who were undefeated in the pool round along with the Bears.

Sunday’s under 20 decider was scoreless until well into the second half when Abby Schmiedel scored the lone try.

Tamworth oztag president Pam Potts said it was hard to single out any players considering there was a great team effort, particularly in defence.

In the women’s over 27s, the Bears lost 9-2 to eventual premiers Stingrays in a quarter-final after the Bears lost three times, won twice and drew once in the round-robin fixtures.

Although the Bears didn’t reach the finals in the women’s masters and men’s 20s, 45s and 50s, the Northern NSW teams were “really competitive”, Potts said, while the championships were played in good spirits.

Potts remarked that the Bears had “closed the gap” and that their results were generally more respectable than in previous years. She noted that a lot of young players had come through the ranks and that many had played in State competitions.

Potts said Tamworth and the surrounding area was more of a “stand-alone” region with limited numbers compared with other areas.

Potts also alluded to Tamworth’s referees, with three of them appointed to control deciders on Sunday.