A friendship formed in the Upper Hunter could translate into success for the Newcastle Knights’ Tarsha Gale Cup squad this weekend.
Matilda Jones, Sophie Clancy, Jules Kirkpatrick and Leah Ollerton were all members of the Muswellbrook Ramettes under-17 women’s tackle side – coached by local legend Gary “Bomber” jones, which suffered a heart-breaking 20-6 loss to Wests in the 2020 decider.
Although that defeat is long forgotten, the quartet has joined forces once again, this time for the Knights.
And, they’re determined to “turn the tables” on past results by leading Newcastle to victory in Saturday’s Tarsha Gale Cup grand final.
The high-flying outfit will tackle the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy at Commbank Stadium, Parramatta.
After eliminating the St George Illawarra Dragons, the Knights’ under-19s produced a stunning comeback to put the Eels to the sword 16-14 in the preliminary showdown at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on 23 April.
Down by eight points with 10 minutes remaining, the team stormed home with two tries in as many minutes to book a spot in the big dance.
Mia Middleton had Newcastle on the board almost immediately, scoring a runaway intercept try. Clancy converted for a 6-0 lead.
Parramatta hit back through Petesa Lio in the 12th minute.
The Eels then gained the ascendency, at 8-6, when Tahleisha Maeva crossed over.
Leading by two points at the break, Parramatta extended its margin shortly after with a crash play near the line to Ruby-Jean Kennard.
Alysha Bell added the extras to make it 14-6.
But, the Knights refused to buckle under the pressure.
And, it was Clancy, burrowing over from dummy-half, who provided the spark.
She also converted to close the gap to 14-12.
With six minutes left on the clock, and the team trailing by two, quick hands down the right-hand side produced another try for Middleton to cue scenes of jubilation within the Newcastle ranks at 16-14.
The girls then hung on to secure a nail-biting victory.
In the other showdown, the Roosters overpowered the Wests Tigers 22-8, thanks to four-pointers to Jada Taylor, Kalosipani Hopoate, Zoe Cass, Ally Bullman and Elizabeth Lomu-Stewart.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 11am.
- Newcastle Knights (coach: Andrew Johnson): Kyah Watters, Alyssa Shoulders, Shanti Kennedy, Mia Middleton, Kasey Gaukroger, Jesse Southwell, Matilda Jones (c), Mercydes Metcalf, Sophie Clancy, Ebony Woodcock, Jules Kirkpatrick, Tori Brazier, Kayla Waldron; interchange: Lucy Green, Lilly Davies, Lexi Beagan, Georgia Chapple; extended bench: Tiarna West, Leah Ollerton, Madison Marmion, Ruby Forrest, Isabella Thwaites, Sienna Limpic, Alex Holliday
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