The High School 1st grade game was the last event game for 2024. After an energy packed Friday afternoon and evening, this game was the finale and it had an unusual element of unpredictability about it.
Newcastle had a representative team with clear capacity but minimal experience in this format. All local club teams has a blend of players with varying experience and time together. Anything could happen.
Boulder A was unpacked well by all teams and it was Newcastle who took the early lead 23 points ahead of the Donx 21, Hornets 17 and Badgers 16. Newcastle managed to extend the lead after breaking down the technical finish on Boulder B and carried a healthy half-time lead out in front by 8 points.
Tops were hard to come by in the second half so points were hard to accumulate. The Donx won the second half but it wasn't enough to pull back the lead. Newcastle took out the Cup on 51 points ahead of the Donx 45, with the Hornets and Badgers tied on 37 points each for equal third. Lachie French from the Hornets was voted best on ground.
Well done Newcastle. You've engraved yourself into the history books here. See you in 2025.
Pictured left to right (Josh Tunningly, Sam Cole, Ben Mahony (coach), Oli Mahony, Caden Rien, Oscar Gronhaug)
2 Dec 2024