There was a number of ingredients that went into McCarthy Catholic College’s winning recipe for the 2018 NSW Oztag Secondary Schools Champions of Champions.
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Competing in the Year 9/10 age group, McCarthy returned to the tournament after going down in the 2017 final.
Along with the added experience of 2017, the girls produced an impeccable ball handling display at the 2018 event, showed an incredible amount of fitness and even used a surprise tactic for the finals to help see them claim the title.
“What made a difference in the last two games was the decision to kick on the fourth instead of the fifth and the other teams weren't ready,” coach Tanya Laird said.
Laird added: “They all tapered themselves really, really well.
“Because we did kick on the fourth, we did a lot of sprinting. Those two players who chose to sprint would have to come off so we rotated them like that.
“And our team rarely made mistakes, we never dropped the ball.”
The early kicks led to a number of tries at the back-end of the tournament.
Earlier in the championship, McCarthy kicked off their campaign with a tough 2-1 win over Engadine High School.
They progressed to the semi-finals and beat Peakhurst in a close one, 3-1, to make their way into the grand final.
There they met Erina High School – the team that had beaten McCarthy in the 2017 final in extra time.
This final was just as close and the scores were locked at 2-all early in the second half.
Jada Taylor then gave McCarthy a one-try lead with a brilliant piece of play.
From there the girls finished strongly to close out a 4-2 victory.
Taylor was rewarded for her grand final performance with two accolades.
Along with being given the player of the final medal – for the second year in a row – Taylor was also named in the NSW Year 9/10 side.
It wasn’t just Taylor who made the cut with five McCarthy players being named in the side.
Holly Bynge, Abbey Ryan. Georgia Horniman and Phoebe Porter will join Taylor in the team.
Laird also made mention of Steven Porter’s efforts in helping the 9/10 team get to where they have.
McCarthy also took a girls 7/8 team to the tournament and Laird said they “went well in their first year”.
Oxley High School was also represented at the tournament with teams in the boys 7/8, boys 9/10 and girls 7/8 divisions.