THE WOODLEY Isuzu Ute Group 4 under-23 men’s side was dealt a rather large blow as it prepared for Saturday’s Greater Northern Championships in Scone.
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The Paul Hyson-coached side goes into the championships against Groups 19 and 21 without North Tamworth forward Brady Barwick.
Barwick had starred for the Bears in recent trials and looked like being a devastating attacking weapon for the Bears as well as Group 4 since arriving from the Central Coast.
“We’ve lost him,” Hyson said at Thursday night’s final training session at Jack Woolaston Oval, North Tamworth.
“He’s moved to Sydney for a job. Unfortunately we couldn’t find him one.
“It’s going to hurt us (Group 4) and the Bears.”
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While the Bears will still have a solid pack Barwick was one of the few big men Hyson had at his disposal for the GN Championships.
“It’s going to be a big test for all of them,” he said of the blue and gold Group 4 side.
“We might not have any big men but we are quite mobile and if we can hold the ball well enough and get some repeat sets we will be competitive.”
The Group 4 ladies league tag and under-23 men’s sides have much more to play for than the silverware.
They duel with Group 19 and 21 sides for the GN championships as a team as well as personal rewards for selection in GN representative sides.
Selection in the two sides results in a trip to Lismore on Saturday, May 5 and Country Championship matches against Northern Rivers, advised Greater Northern area manager Scott Bone.
“The men play for the Jim Sharpe Cup, which is still missing. Group 4 lost it two years ago,” Bone said.
While missing, a replacement Cup is in the process of being remade along with the 63-years worth of winners.
“The ladies play for the Jane Walsmley Cup,” he said of a trophy struck in honour of Merriwa and Group 21 stalwart administrator.
The GN Championships begin at 9am Saturday when the Group 4 and Group 21 ladies league tag sides match up. The Group 4 men then tackle Group 21 in the first Under 23 game at 10am.
The two GN sides will be named at the completion of the round robin matches.
- GROUP 4 under-23s: 1 Dylan Lake (Gunnedah), 2 Jake Simpson (Kootingal-Moonbi), 3 Mitch Sheridan (North Tamworth), 4 Jack Rumsby (Dungowan), 5 Jarmarley Jerrard (Bendemeer), 6 Hayden Smith (Gunnedah), 7 Mitch Doring (Manilla), 8 Harrison Buhler (Dungowan), 9 Ryan Ingram (North Tamworth), 10 Sam Molyneux (Kootingal-Moonbi), 11 Jack Patterson (North Tamworth), 12 Fraser Evans (Dungowan), 13 Zack Leonard (Werris Creek), 14 Lochie Collins (Dungowan), 15 Scott Berry (Werris Creek), 16 Blake Cameron (North Tamworth), 17 Matt Gillham (Boggabri), 18 Ryley Taylor (Bendemeer), 19 Ethan Collins (Dungowan), 20 Anthony Reid (South West Robins). Coach – Paul Hyson Assistant – Nathan Blacklock.
