GROUP 4's unbeaten run to a Greater Northern Ladies League Tag Championship was rewarded on the selection table at Jack Woolaston Oval, North Tamworth on Friday night.
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After beating Group 19 24-nil and Group 21 12-nil, to snare the Jane Walmsley Shield, the expertly coached Group 4 side then had eight players named in the 16-player Greater Northern squad to play in the Country Championships at Glen Innes on July 20.
The Wayne Griffith's-coached Group 4 side was clinical and quick.
Abby Schmiedel (2 tries), Steph Halpin and Ellie New, all scored tries in their first win, whilst keeping Group 19 scoreless.
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Kim Resch also converted all four tries before Group 19 then beat Group 21 18-10 after Vicki Youman scored two good tries and Amy Barraclough kicked three booming conversions.
Group 21 proved to be a tough opponent for Group 4 in the final game, a see-sawing match where Piper Rankmore and Steph Halpin both crossed for brilliant tries.
"We saw some great football here tonight [Friday]," said Greater Northern Region area manager Scott Bone.
"Ladies League Tag continues to grow every year."
Jane Walmsley, Greater Northern's delegate to Country Rugby League, then presented the Jane Walmsley Shield to Group 4 captain Emma Carrigan, who thanked her opponents, Greater Northern and Group 4.
"That was a very fast pace out there tonight [Friday]," Emma Carrigan said.
"We'd just like to thank Group 19 and 21's players and coaches."
Damien Allen, who coached the Kootingal Roosters to a Group 4 Ladies League Tag premiership last year will coach the Greater Northern side and he was delighted with the side handed to him.
"There was plenty of talent on display tonight," Damien Allen said.
"It was hard to pick a side. It's a quick and elusive side."
He said he wants to play a fast style and that was reflected in the selected players.
That Group 4 had eight players selected reflected their pace and speed.
Kim Resch, Georgia Horniman, Piper Rankmore, Abby Schmiedel and Steph Halpin showcased that speed although Resch and Rankmore suffered knocks in the final game.
"Steph was outstanding," Allen said.
"It's only her first year of league tag too."
He said the Greater Northern side will have its first training run next Friday with a couple more sessions before "going into camp at Glen Innes" on the Friday before the July 20 Northern Country Championships.
