Group 4 Ladies League Tag: North Tamworth kick off title defence with 20-14 win over Dungowan

Kim Resch and Tyla Endemi starred for the Bears in the 20-14 victory.

Six weeks ago the Bears had one player registered but a determined push from the likes of Millie Blanch secured a side with James Cooper to coach.

"It was a good start, good win," Cooper said.

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"We came into it without a trial, had a bit of a scrimmage against Dungowan. It was probably pretty ugly. A lot of the girls hadn't played for two years so it was good to get a win early."

He said Endemi received his side's players player award.

"She showed some energy. She can kick and pass. Kim (Resch) and Kate (Ferguson) will be real good for us too."

Dungowan coach Luke Taylor reckoned his side was "not too bad".

"We blew out a few cobwebs," he said of a see-sawing match where his side levelled the scores twice in the second half before Resch's brilliant second try settled the issue.

He "thought Karen Porter was real good" and Sarah Taylor and Emma Carrigan also played full games strongly.

"Abbey Bowden is going to be very good for us, it's her first year," Taylor added.

In Sunday's other game, Narrabri edged out Moree 16-14 in a cliffhanger at Collins Park.

Telisha Hilderson's goalkicking was the difference, the outstanding number seven kicking two of her three conversions.

She also earned the three points in the G4 Best & Fairest Award and played a big part in the three tries scored by Lidia McCauley, Kimberley Laurie and Taylah Fogarty.

Moree also scored three tries - Nerruah Murray, Leila Murray and Isleah McGrady - while their number seven, Shai-Lee Smith also had a big game and picked up the two points in the B&F, Narrabri's number 11 Natalie Mason receiving a deserving one point.

On Saturday, Kootingal started their season in bright fashion with a 64-nil win over a gallant Werris Creek.

Captain-coach Abby Schmiedel and new recruit Rebekah Jenkins both crossed for a hat trick of tries while Alice Murphy grabbed a pair of tries.

Jenkins' debut for her new Kootingal side was also rewarded with two points in the B&F. Teammate Tiarn Bayliss received the three points and was delighted with that reward.

21-year-old Bayliss is an early childhood educator at Milestone CBD in Tamworth and studying for her Diploma of Education as well.

She's been playing Oztag for five years and enjoys the offshoot Ladies League Tag just as much while also thanking her captain-coach.

"She's (Schmiedel) an amazing coach," she told Group 4 Media after the game.

"I've played with her ever since I started five years ago."

"She's very quick. The side has gelled well too. Had a good pre-season, had three trials."

So the side has been well prepared, something Schmiedel had ensured.

"We've had a good start," Schmiedel said.

"I was happy we kept them to nil too, that was the best thing.

"I thought we played well in attack. A good way to start especially as we've got a tough one against Norths next week."

She said Jenkins' debut was a highlight.

"She's come across from Gunnedah," she said.

"Her partner, Kurt Hartmann, is also playing for Kootingal. We do have a pretty good squad. We've got half the side from 2019 and the rest have come across from Oztag. And we all get along on and off the field. It's all good fun."

Gunnedah started its season well too, beating Boggabri 40-nil.

Zoe Flemming was a star for the Bulldogs, scoring two tries and earning the three B&F points.

Out at Barraba the home side and Manilla played out an 18-all draw where Manilla's Joan O'Leary polled the three B&F points. Teammates Kim Flett and players player award winner Shavanah Boota also excelled against a Barraba side best served by Abbey Mallise and Zoe Darlington.

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