Selectors recognised an impressive array of talent from which to choose the Maitland-Newcastle teams and coaches Zoe Parish and Ben McCarthy were confident heading north to Port Macquarie knowing the skills of the students in their ranks.

The boys team beat Broken Bay, Bathurst, Wilcannia, Forbes, and Armidale and lost narrowly by 1 to Lismore. Four boys made the Possibles and Probables – Darcy Campton, Toby Large, Chase Firman, and Slater Kidd.

Darcy, from Holy Spirit at Kurri Kurri, controlled the pace of the game with a dominant display of line attack and athleticism. Chase, from St Joseph’s at Merewether, showed great agility with the ball in hand and defended strongly on the line. Toby, from St James’ at Muswellbrook, showed great vision in attack and outstanding ball skills to capitalise on defensive lapses. These three were named in the Polding side for NSWPSSA.

The girls also beat all the other dioceses except for Lismore, which was a draw. The victories over Armidale, Wilcannia, and Forbes were convincing. Emme Porter from St Kevin’s at Cardiff, Macy Neyland from St Catherine’s at Singleton, Ella Tighe from St Therese’s at New Lambton, and Caiomhe Bray from St Joseph’s at Denman made it to the Possibles and Probables.

Ella displayed strong passing and ball skills, reading of the game, and good technical ability while Caiomhe  showed speed, agility, spatial awareness, and positive attitude, and these two girls were selected in the Polding team. The NSWPSSA events are set down for Term 3.

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