TALENTED Muswellbrook duo Ashlee Urpeth and Matilda Jones are eyeing off the NSW Touch Association Junior Regional Championships this month.
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The pair impressed selectors in recent times to book berths in their respective Hunter Western Hornets squads.
Urpeth was named in the girls’ 18 years team and Jones gained a spot in the 14 years side for the two-day event at Ballina on April 22 and 23.
Hunter junior director Melinda Walls said it was a big achievement for Muswellbrook to boast two female representatives.
“It’s a massive area – the Hornets’ talent pool is vast,” she explained.
“For instance, Ashlee, Soph Stammers, Lily Unterrheiner and Sian Filip are the only players who don’t hail from Newcastle.
“It’s a bit different for Matilda.
“She’s mixed in with girls from Doyalson, Nelson Bay, Peninsula and Wallsend.
“But, they’ve both done an amazing job to get that far.
“Full credit goes to Ashlee and Matilda for all their hard work.”
Walls said Urpeth and Jones caught the eye of selectors at the Peter Wilson Memorial Championships, at Nelson Bay, as well as the NSW Touch Association Junior State Cup at Port Macquarie.
“Squads were chosen for all age groups and then the players were put through their paces,” she told the Chronicle.
“After that, each group was culled to 14.
“They then attend two weekends of training to prepare for the Junior Regional Championships.”
The Hornets will lock horns with long-time rivals Sydney Scorpions, Sydney Mets, Sydney Rebels, North Coast Eagles and the Southern Suns at Ballina.
“Based on previous performances, the Hornets are strong chances to reach all grand finals,” Walls said.
“The last time we played at this event, five of our six sides made the deciders.”
Hunter Western Hornets girls’ 18 years: Ashlee Urpeth (Muswellbrook), Abby Malsem (Newcastle), Amber Cheney (Newcastle), Amy Dufour (Newcastle), Angel Barber ( Newcastle), Jessica Potts (Newcastle), Kelsey French (Newcastle), Maddison McManus (Newcastle), Natasha Hall (Newcastle), Rachel Jeffs (Newcastle), Tazmyne Luschwitz (Newcastle), Soph Stammers (Orange), Lily Unterrheiner (Wallsend), Sian Filip (Wallsend)
Hunter Western Hornets girls’ 14 years: Samara Ross (Doyalson), Matilda Jones (Muswellbrook), Grace Baxter (Nelson Bay), Jacinda Lei Summers (Nelson Bay), Jade Ballard (Nelson Bay), Tara Helly (Nelson Bay), Tarsha Wellings (Nelson Bay), Zoe Relf (Nelson Bay), Caisha Shorrock (Peninsula), Zali Fulton (Peninsula), Alkira Johnston (Wallsend), Alyssa Shoulders (Wallsend), Ella Madden (Wallsend), Emma Hopkins (Wallsend)
