TAMWORTH High launches a two-pronged State Hockey Knockout finals assault in Lithgow today.
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![Tamworth High’s boys and girls will contest the state hockey finals series in Lithgow. Photo: Geoff O’Neill 080914GOA01 Tamworth High’s boys and girls will contest the state hockey finals series in Lithgow. Photo: Geoff O’Neill 080914GOA01](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/storypad-7YjsyXB7ExBTuzGHT3fj6J/b06579d7-8c19-4a11-86ca-2445f4284047.jpg/r0_47_2666_1546_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Both its boys and girls’ sides have made it through to the final eight and will play quarter-finals this morning – the girls against Lithgow and the boys against Lambton.
They’ll be joined down in Lithgow by the Armidale High girls, who will be looking to improve on their third place last year.
The region has had good success at the finals in recent years, especially in the boys’ competition, with Oxley High winning the last two.
Tamworth High will represent the region’s hopes there and should do well.
“I’d like to think we can get to the final,” coach Greg Allen said.
It will be their best chance for a few years.
“We’ve got four Year 12s, Allen said.
“Things will drop off after this year.
“Much of our play revolves around James (Psarakis) and Josh (Worpel).”
They are two of the four finishing up this year.
Their passage through has been fairly easy. Their last game they thrashed Blackwattle Bay 20-nil.
“They haven’t really been tested,” Allen said.
He doesn’t know a lot about Lambton other than from Worpel they have a good
goalkeeper.
If they get through that they’ll play Moss Vale in the semi-final, which will be a different story.
Moss Vale were runners-up to Oxley last year.
“Based on last year, Moss Vale will be the strongest team there,” Allen said.
One of their strengths is their versatility, with Allen able to rotate players through different positions.
He often has with Worpel and Matt Sing especially.
He felt they are better equipped this year than last.
“We’re stronger than last year,” he said.
“We haven’t lost anyone and those younger guys have another year’s experience.”
They also probably have a bit more strikepower and are stronger in defence.
Allen is also coaching the girls and said whatever they achieve would be good.
They’ve already in some ways exceeded expectations in making it through to the quarter-finals.
“They’re still predominantly young,” he said.
Most of the side are in Year 8 or 9.
They’ve only got one Year 12. That is captain Sam Moxon.
In contrast to the boys, they’ve had to work hard to get through.
They snagged their spot with a dramatic extra-time win over Wingham High after levelling with just four minutes left on the clock.
“Wingham was fourth last year. It was a good result to beat them,” Allen said.
He said if they click they can beat anyone.
The key for them though is playing as a team.
“We can’t rely on any individuals,” Allen said.
That they haven’t been has what’s got them as far as they have.
“The strength has been our team-work,” he said.