On Tuesday August 13 the Under 13s Bats travelled to Bathurst to contest the NSW Country Cup State final. After being crowned the Northern NSW Champions in Coffs Harbour with great wins over schools from Port Macquarie, Gosford and renowned Rugby League School Farrer, the team was riding high.
On Wednesday, the team faced the formidable Edmund Rice College of Wollongong who had been crowned Southern NSW Champions. The team carried the pride of the Lower Clarence Community with them as they had done what no team had done for 30 plus years at Maclean High.
The team had a slow start in the first half with some large opposition players crashing over for tries. The score quickly jumped out to 22-0 going into half time with things grim for the Bats. With a different game plan at the half time speech and a huge boost in confidence, the team leapt from the blocks in the second half, displaying some bone crushing defence on the much larger team. The Bats ran in three great tries to put them back in the hunt at 22-16. At this stage of the game the Bats looked like coming home strongly over the Wollongong side. With 15 minutes to go the opposition played a strategy to waste time and 12 of the final 15 minutes where wasted with injury time. This leaving the Bats frustrated and with no time to run down the 8 point deficit. They fought right to the bell unlucky not to score two late tries. It was a second half to remember for the team. It was a display of courage and never say die attitude. The side was disappointed with the loss at full time but took salvage from the fact they fought right to the bell and showed some great skill and determination to get back into the game. All 23 players left with memories of a lifetime.
On the way home to Maclean they had the opportunity to attend the Penrith Panthers Academy. They listened to speeches from Panthers Glen Liddiard and up and coming NRL squad members Toomelah’s Brayden Mcgrady and Clarence Valley local and ex Maclean High student Daine Laurie who talked about the development of NRL players and moving from their community to chase their dreams. Our boys were treated to a tour of the fantastic Panther Academy to see how the best facility in the NRL operates. They watched the NRL squad in their captains run, in preparation for their Friday night Broncos game and even got to meet and mingle with all the players.
That night the boys got to attend the Manly Sea Eagles Vs West Tigers game. This was a great night for the boys as they again got to meet their NRL heroes and see them in action.
To top off the trip we popped into to see the Newcastle Knights in their captains run. We were greeted by ex Maclean High School student and Knights coach Nathan Brown who was extremely proud of the student’s efforts and was happy to see such a young crop of talent progressing through Maclean High.
This trip would not have been possible without support from local businesses and organisations who supported the trip financially to allow the players the great opportunities they received. A big thanks to the Penrith Panthers, Manly Eagles and the Newcastle Knights who were so accommodating in allowing our students to go where most 13 year olds do not have access. It made it extremely special for the boys with life long memories and inspiration to further their NRL careers.
Well done boys you have done Maclean High and the whole Lower Clarence Valley Proud.