When Abby Schmiedel ran in six tries en route to Kootingal-Moonbi's 108-0 obliteration of Manilla last Saturday, she also ran past her best mate, Kim Resch, to take the lead on the try-scoring table.
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It's a rivalry that stays on the field.
Resch - North Tamworth's perennial points-scoring machine - "is a great person, but an even better friend", Schmiedel said.
In a text message exchange with the Leader, the Kooty Chicks' captain and co-coach said: "We've always known each other through our sports since we were little. But we've been really close friends the past five years."
Schmiedel calls Resch "Kimmy". Their daughters were born two weeks apart.
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"So it's nice that our babies will grow up together also," the Roosters gun said.
She added: "We've played most of our footy together, got some great memories off the footy field and I can't wait to be her bridesmaid next year at her wedding."
Resch's partner is North Tamworth second-rower Jake McManus.
Resch was "an awesome athlete", Schmiedel said, who had "always been talented and skilful in everything she does".
"I'll always support her as a player and person. Except when we play each other haha."
The last time the mates played together was in 2017, when Collegian won the grand final.
Schmiedel's personal-record try haul, against Manilla, took her to a competition-best 27 tries for the season, two more than Resch.
Resch posted two tries in a 58-0 defeat of Moree last round, taking the goal-kicking No 1's points tally for the year to a competition-best 150.
Come September 12, there is a good chance the friends will be locked in battle in the league tag grand final.
Kooty, Norths and Dungowan all have 20 points and occupy the top three spot on the ladder, respectively, with two rounds remaining before the finals.
On Sunday, Kooty travel to Boggabri. On the same day, Norths host Manilla.
Schmiedel was told the 108-0 win over a winless Manilla was a record winning margin for Group 4 league tag.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, she said Manilla "never stopped trying" and "made us work for our points".
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Mark Bode
I’m passionate about writing stories that resonate with people. And I’m genuinely interested in the people I interview; I want to know about them and present their stories in a meaningful way.
I’m passionate about writing stories that resonate with people. And I’m genuinely interested in the people I interview; I want to know about them and present their stories in a meaningful way.
