GROUP 4's unbeaten run to a Greater Northern League Tag Championship was rewarded on the selection table at Jack Woolaston Oval, North Tamworth, on Friday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After beating Group 19 24-0 and Group 21 12-0 to snare the Jane Walmsley Shield, the expertly-coached outfit then had eight players named in the 16-strong Tigers squad to contest the Country Championships at Glen Innes on July 20.
The Wayne Griffiths-mentored Group 4 side was clinical and quick.
Abby Schmiedel (2), Steph Halpin and Ellie New all scored tries in their first win while keeping Group 19 scoreless.
Kim Resch also converted all four tries.
Then Group 19 beat Group 21 18-10 after Vicki Youman posted two good tries and Amy Barraclough kicked three booming conversions.
Group 21 proved to be a tough opponent for Group 4 in the final game, a see-sawing match where Piper Rankmore and Halpin both crossed for brilliant four-pointers.
"We saw some great football here tonight," Greater Northern Region area manager Scott Bone said.
"Women's league tag continues to grow every year."
Walmsley, Greater Northern's delegate to Country Rugby League, then presented the trophy named after her to Group 4 captain Emma Carrigan, who thanked her opponents, Group 21 and Group 4.
"That was a very fast pace out there tonight," she said.
"We'd just like to thank Group 19 and 21's players and coaches."
Damien Allen, who coached the Kootingal Roosters to a Group 4 league tag premiership last year, will oversee the Greater Northern team.
And, he was delighted with the side handed to him.
"There was plenty of talent on display tonight," he said.
"It was hard to pick a team.
"But, it's a quick and elusive side."
Allen said he wants to play a fast style [at the Country Championships] and that was reflected in the selected players.
Group 4 had eight women named - Emma Carrigan, Nautica Eather, Steph Halpin, Georgina Horniman, Paris Knox, Piper Rankmore, Kim Resch and Abby Schmiedel, which reflects their pace and speed.
Scone's Sofie Casson, Rebecca Hill and Flynn Haggarty, as well as Murrurundi duo Jessica Presland and Hannah Rando, received a call-up, too.
Rounding out the squad is Group 19's Amy Barraclough, Sarah Byrne and Taneika Landsborough.
"Steph [Halpin] was outstanding," Allen said.
"It's only her first year of league tag."
He said the Greater Northern side would have its first training run next Friday, with a couple more sessions before "going into camp at Glen Innes".
2019 GREATER NORTHERN LADIES LEAGUE TAG CHAMPIONSHIPS
Jack Woolaston Oval, North Tamworth
GROUP 4 24 (Abby Schmiedel 2, Steph Halpin, Ellie New tries; Kim Resch 4 goals) d GROUP 19 0
GROUP 19 18 (Vicki Youman 2, Deborah McGrady tries; Amy Barraclough 3 goals) d GROUP 21 10 (Samantha Elphick, Gaynor Blackadder tries; Elphick goal)
GROUP 4 12 (Piper Rankmore, Steph Halpin tries; Rankmore, Kim Resch goals) d Group 21 0
GREATER NORTHERN LEAGUE TAG
(Team to play in Country Championships at Glen Innes on July 20): Amy Barraclough (G19), Sarah Byrne (G19), Emma Carrigan (G4), Sofie Casson (G21), Nautica Eather (G4), Flynn Haggarty (G21), Steph Halpin (G4), Rebecca Hill (G21), Georgina Horniman (G4), Paris Knox (G4), Taneika Landsborough (G19), Jessica Presland (G21), Hannah Rando (G21), Piper Rankmore (G4), Kim Resch (G4), Abby Schmiedel (G4); coach - Damien Allen (Kootingal)
GREATER NORTHERN CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAMS
Jack Woolaston Oval (Friday, July 5)
