Werris Creek ended North Tamworth’s eight-year reign as the kings of Whitehaven Coal Group 4 with a 40-22 win at David Taylor Park, Werris Creek on Saturday.
The Bears, premiers for the past eight years, led 12-nil early after tries from Mark Simon and Adam Ruttley.
However, the home side fought back to score four tries 13 minutes to lead 24-12 at halftime following tries to Nate Follington, Wes Riley, Nathanael Slater and Mitch Doring.
The latter two were brilliant creations of halfback Mitch Doring.
The first was a 20m harbour bridge pass from Doring for Slater to run onto up the eastern touchline.
The second was a masterful piece of improvision from Doring. He chip kicked over the Bears frontline and then grubbered it again for it to bounce back into the pivots hands for him to dive over out wide.
It was another magical piece of play from Doring.
Werris Creek were on the board again early in the second half when second rower Riley Leonard caught a Doring bomb to dive over after just four minutes, but the talented backrower only lasted another seven minutes before he was sin-binned for kicking the ball away!
Five-eighth Nash Porter, the Magpie players player, and winger Joash Boney also added tries for a 40-12 lead before the Bears scored two consolation tries from winger Jone Marau in the final five minutes finished the game at 40-24 and North Tamworth’s season as well as there hopes to make it nine premierships in succession.
Bear star Josh Schmiedel also advised another amazing statistic.
“It’s the first time since 2002 we haven’t made the semi-finals,” the talented backrower said.
He is unsure about his future and was in Sydney the day before the game seeing doctors about his eye injury.
Coach Paul Boyce was a disappointed but proud coach after the season-ending loss.
“We started off real well,” Paul Boyce told G4 Media.
“I was happy with that. But at the end of the day we couldn’t play the full 80 minutes. It’s
been the same all year and the injuries we’ve had too. We’ve had guys that have put their bodies on the line all year. Just look at Tom Woolaston. He broke his nose in the first few minutes at Dungowan and played on. And he played with a torn calf today. Josh (Schmiedel) too. He was in Sydney having his eye looked at yesterday. And he’s got the world’s biggest torn glute. All the boys put their bodies on the line though and at the end of the day Werris Creek were just too good. They deserved their win. “
He said the Bears “had no excuses” while also praising the efforts of players such as hooker Liam Ball.
“He’s now one of the best hookers in the Group. He finds ways to have an impact on the game. He’s a quality player on the field and a quality person off it.”
21-year-old Ball was philosophical about the loss.
“Halfway through the season we looked like being there,” he said of the semi-finals.
“We’ll rebuild though. It’s been a good year, we had a good start to the year but injuries and other stuff didn’t help.”
Paul Boyce also thought Ethan Pallott and Ethan Collins stood out.
“Ethan (Pallott) proved himself to be a first grader this year. A good pre-season and he’ll be good. Ethan Collins has been one of our best all season. He’s been one of the best signings we’ve had in my time.”
Boye said the whole squad had helped enhance the club.
Top image: Magpies celebrate in last week’s game (Facebook)
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