THE Muswellbrook Mambas made their presence felt at the 2018 NSW Touch State Cup at Port Macquarie at the weekend, with the women’s 20s winning the bowl series.
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The three-day event – played at the Regional Sporting Complex and Tuffins Lane Fields – is hailed as one of the biggest tournaments of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
So, to claim a championship crown was a terrific achievement for coach Brady Benkovic’s girls.
In 2017, the Mambas reached the bowl grand final, only to lose 6-4 to Balmain in the decider.
But, on Sunday, the Muswellbrook outfit – Baillee Mavin, Cassidy Gepp, Ashlee Urpeth, Kelsey French, Grace Robertson, Flynn Haggarty, Izzy Talty, Georgia Watts, Missy Mathews, Hannah Gleeson, Sophie Moss, Demi Farrell and Isy Akauma – avenged that defeat, beating the Wallsend Wolves 8-7.
“I’m extremely proud of the effort and determination they all displayed,” Benkovic said.
“After being down 4-1 early in the game, the girls dug deep and staged an incredible comeback to win.
“It was a fantastic result.”
Following a bye on Friday, the Mambas suffered losses to the Manly Sea Eagles (9-1) and Balmain Tigers (6-4).
However, they turned in all around 24 hours later, knocking over the Hornsby Lions (8-4), Taree Flames (7-2) and Central Coast Dolphins (5-2).
In the play-offs on Sunday, Muswellbrook eliminated the Forster Tuncurry Tornadoes 6-3 to set up a showdown with the Wolves.
The local association’s other representative squad, the men’s open, contested the highly-competitive B division.
The Luke Howard-coached team - Callum Strachan, Jacob Ellis, Daniel Ellis, Jake Barner, Cooper Harris, Brandy Hardy, Kyle Bailey, Jacob Button, Jason McKay, Matthew McKay, Drew Harker, Lennie Craft, Jake Parker, Stevie Dengate and Dylan Howard – succumbed to Wests Magpies 1 7-4 in the opener.
But, they responded with victories at the expense of the Port Makos (3-2) and LBM Rangers (9-2).
Unfortunately, things didn’t go their way on the Saturday, with the Beresfield Bandits (7-4), St George Dragons (9-7) and Hornsby Lions (6-2) ending the Mambas’ campaign.