Orange boys handle tough competition at NSW under 13s championships

ORANGE coach Ian Wenham has praised the never-say-die attitude of his side after a tough NSW Hockey Under 13 Boys’ Field State Championship campaign in Taree.

Played over three days from last Friday, the Orange boys missed out on a spot in the division two semi-finals by just one goal on for-and-against.

Needing to win by five goals in their final pool game, the Orange side rallied but fell just short of their mark in a brilliant 6-2 triumph over Port Macquarie Hastings.

A young group that will lose just four players to the under 15 boys’ age group in 2016, Wenham said there’s plenty of positives to take from their three-day campaign on the Mid North Coast.

“The boys played absolutely brilliant hockey,” Wenham said.

“We only just missed out on the semis, but it’s been a great experience for the boys.”

Orange opened its title shot in a very positive fashion, edging out North West Sydney (2) 4-2.

But in game two, New England showed the sort of form that would eventually catapult them to the division two crown, and convincingly beat Orange 9-0.

Bouncing back on day two, Orange recorded a 1-all draw with Wagga and Riverina to open the penultimate day before falling agonisingly short of a place in the top two of pool A in its four-goal thrashing of Port Macquarie Hastings.

Playing off against Sydney South, Orange unfortunately lost 4-0 to end the championship in sixth.

Wenham, though, was all smiles.

“The boys were non-stop, they tried all day,” he said.

“Liam Wilson and Mitchell Watts absolutely controlled the middle of the field. It’s impressive to watch them play.

“And Lachie O’Dae, we tried him in a new position at the back and he took it in his stride. They’re just a fantastic group of boys.”