There may only be 65 students enrolled at Duri Public and Currabubula Public combined but the schools are proving to be a hotbed for softball players.
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The schools’ joint side continues to punch above its weight in the NSW PSSA Girls Softball Knockout Competition.
All the coaches know their role and every kid is the same.
- Craig McDonald
The girls surged into the quarter-finals with a two-run victory over Orange’s Calare Public School which boasts over 600 enrolled students.
The win came in the dying moments of the match as the girls lifted to produce the 14-12 win.
Coach Craig McDonald, from Duri Public School, said the success came from a strong coaching setup and the girls willingness to listen and learn.
“We have a strong coaching team all the way through with Charmaine Kesby, Natalie Crittle and Cathy McMaster. The kids are benefiting from that,” McDonald said.
“The coaching is getting them there.
“All the coaches know their role and every kid is the same.
“If they don’t [play their role], we can’t score a run.”
Scoring runs definitely hasn’t been a problem for the side.
The girls opened their campaign with a big 12-run win over Tamworth West Public School before wins against Tamworth Public School, Wee Waa Public School, Portland Central School and Calare followed.
The side’s next game will not be for another month or so which will see Duri-Currabubula take on the winner from the Hunter zone.
McDonald said it hadn’t been decided where the match would be played.
“We don’t know but hopefully it will be a home game,” he said.
The softball joint venture between Duri and Currabubula came about three years ago after Duri’s numbers dropped.
The boys also had a side this year that made it to the third round.