North West Sport

North Companions Black have won the women’s first-division grand final of the Northern Inland Premier League, putting an end to the undefeated run of Tamworth FC Sky. It was a marathon effort from both sides, with the match forced beyond extra-time, into a penalty shootout. North Companions winning 3-1. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.  

The New South Wales Country Eagles have relinquished a 14-nil half-time lead, to go down to the Canberra Vikings today in the New England. The Eagles were awarded a penalty try early in the game, which seemed to put them in a good mood. Before Glen Innes’ Alex Newsome scored just before the break. “Someone needs to straighten on the outside, and Newsome’s the man to do just that, he is quick Newsome, the line was good.” The Eagles return to the North West on October 13, where they’ll play Queensland Country at Tamworth’s Scully Park PLEASE NOTE: SOME AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.  

It’s a day reserved for the region’s high-rollers, with West Tamworth Sports and Bowling Club hosting its annual ‘District Past Presidents Day.’ Old friends reunited and old rivalries flared up on the green, as a friendly bowling competition got underway. 42 bowlers took part in the event. “A day out, get everybody together and have a good time, good bowls, it is good bowls, it’s quality bowls.” PLEASE NOTE: SOME AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.    

Tamworth FC has claimed this year’s Northern Inland Premier League, with a decisive 3-1 win over the Demon Knights yesterday. The grand final victory is icing on the cake for Tamworth, in a season where they didn’t concede a single game.  

As drivers tear around Tamworth’s Oakburn Park tomorrow, there will be another form of mileage celebrated off the track as the Tamworth Sporting Car Club will commemorate its 25th anniversary. It’s a milestone that will see around 25 drivers take to the Oakburn circuit, as round six of the club’s lapdash gets underway from 9.30. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.  

Tamworth FC has capped-off an incredible year, beating the Demon Knights in today’s grand final of the Northern Inland Premier League. FC had several shots-on-goal, before Kurt Barrow found the back of the net. The victory was even more impressive for Tamworth, given they were a man down for a large portion of the match. The 3-1 win saw FC finish the season undefeated. NBN News will have a detailed match-report tomorrow night. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.    

The National Rugby Championships heads to Armidale tomorrow, where the New South Wales Country Eagles host the Canberra Vikings. Captained by Tamworth’s Paddy Ryan, it’ll be a home-coming for many, including Glen Innes’ Alex Newsome.  

It’s a game-changer for those wishing to tread the officiating pathway, with the National Rugby League forming a partnership with the Country Universities Centre. The merger is designed to keep aspiring officials in regional communities, and gain the required qualifications without leaving home. “What it’s about is giving everyone an equal opportunity to have the chance to go to the NRL.” Only upon being offered a full-time contract do officials now need to relocate in a move designed to further strengthen refereeing at the grassroots level. “Shayne Hayne coming out of Muswellbrook, Gerard Sutton came out of Coonabarabran, Ben Cummins came from Canberra, they’re the grand final referees in recent years and they’ve come out of that, their pathway was much more difficult.”  

The UNE Lions head to the sunshine state this weekend, where they’ll compete in the third round of the Australian University Sevens Series. Held at the University of Queensland, the Lions kick-off the tournament tomorrow morning against Tasmania at 10am. After the opening two rounds, the sevens squad has developed considerably, with the women looking to build on their three wins in Canberra a fortnight ago. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.  

Competition is well underway at the Australian Barrel Horse, National Finals in Tamworth, with more than 700 people from across the country making the journey to the AELEC. Riders aiming to top the time-sheets, and get amongst the barrel of cash on offer. Competition wraps-up on Sunday. PLEASE NOTE: SOME AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.