THE Muswellbrook Touch Association's representative sides, the Mambas, battled the elements and some strong opposition at the prestigious Junior State Cup at the weekend.
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But, they returned home with their heads held high following a gallant campaign over three days at Port Macquarie's Regional Sports Stadium and Tuffins Lane Complex.
The young Mambas tackled the northern conference of the tournament, with the under-10 boys, under-12 boys, under-12 girls, under-14 boys, under-14 girls and under-18 girls flying the local flag.
Ironically, the standout performer was the under-12 boys' squad, who stepped into that age group for the first time in 2020.
The Muswellbrook lads narrowly missed a play-off berth, in spite of registering four victories.
After months of hard work on the training paddock, the Mambas put the Nelson Bay Neptunes (3-1), Forster Tuncurry Tornadoes (3-0), Newcastle City Knights (2-1) and Wallsend Wolves (3-2) to the sword.
Unfortunately, losses to the Beresfield Bandits (2-1) and Peninsula Piranhas (3-1) upset their momentum.
Despite the wet conditions, most clubs took the abysmal conditions in their collective stride.
NSW Touch Football Association general manager Dean Russell praised the competing organisations for their patience.
"The weekend was never going to be easy," he said.
"Everyone has been really good.
"We are happy and pleased with the way the parents, in particular, have accepted the (wet) conditions and what we did to get the games completed.
"The clubs were on-side all week and really understood what we were intending to do.
"We really appreciate the support they've shown us.
"And, the kids love it; they are still finding puddles to dive in and to run through," he added with a laugh.
Muswellbrook Mambas Junior State Cup results
Under-10 boys
Pool A -
Lost: 2-7 v Wallsend Wolves
Lost: 0-11 v Manly Sea Eagles
Bye
Lost: 0-4 v Forster Tuncurry Tornadoes
Lost: 0-9 v Newcastle City Knights
Won: 3-2 v Armidale Bushrangers
Lost: 1-7 v Doyalson Dragons
Under-12 boys
Pool C -
Won: 3-1 v Nelson Bay Neptunes
Lost: 1-2 v Beresfield Bandits
Won: 3-0 v Forster Tuncurry Tornadoes
Bye
Lost: 1-3 v Peninsula Piranhas
Won: 2-1 v Newcastle City Knights
Won: 3-2 v Wallsend Wolves
Under-12 girls
Pool B -
Lost: 1-2 v Nelson Bay Neptunes
Lost: 0-1 v Singleton Storm
Lost: 1-6 v Newcastle City Knights
Lost: 1-2 v Northern Beaches Renegades
Won: 3-0 v Carlingford Cyclones
Lost: 0-2 v Peninsula Piranhas
Lost: 0-4 v Maitland Redbacks
Under-14 boys
Pool C -
Lost: 1-7 v Peninsula Piranhas
Lost: 1-5 v Wallsend Wolves
Drew: 2-all v Hornsby Lions
Lost: 1-4 v Doyalson Dragons
Won: 4-2 v Forster Tuncurry Tornadoes
Under-14 girls
Pool A -
Bye
Lost: 0-4 v Lismore Lizards
Drew: 1-all v Beresfield Bandits
Lost: 0-3 v Taree Flames
Lost: 1-4 v Nelson Bay Neptunes
Won: 4-1 v Carlingford Cyclones
Drew: 1-all v Central Coast Dolphins
Under-18 girls
Pool C -
Drew: 1-all v Hornsby Lions
Lost: 3-4 v Peninsula Piranhas
Won: 5-1 v Berkeley Vale Panthers
Lost: 1-7 v Ryde Eastwood Hawks
Lost: 1-2 v Carlingford Cyclones
