IF Western coach Mick Armstrong learnt anything from last year’s failed league tag Country Championship campaign, it’s there’s no substitute for speed.
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Lucky the Bathurst-based coach is a fast learner.
Led by lightning fast outside backs Darcie Morrison, Heidi Regan and Amy Hotham, Armstrong’s 2017 Western side will take on Monaro in round one at Cowra next month looking to improve on last year’s exit in the opening week of the tournament against Southern.
“The team we played last year had speed to burn, so we’ve gone for speed as well. Our outside backs are all really quick,” Armstrong said.
Group 10, rightly so, dominates the 15-strong squad with eight members, five of which are from Bathurst, after scoring a fifth straight Western title courtesy of a 30-10 win in the final at Parkes’ Jock Colley Field.
CYMS is not only the only Dubbo side represented in the Western side but the the talented Rikka Lamb-Lane and Demi Winter are also the only Group 11-based players to score selection.
The impressive, composite Castlereagh-Barwon League rep team that made the Rams final at Parkes has had Sheridan Lillyman (Coonamble), Emma Gallagher (Dunedoo), Lauren Sullivan (Dunedoo) and Lisa Travis (Cobar) all named.
The squad will meet twice over the coming weeks in the lead-up to round one of the country championships, but given the squad includes players from Bathurst to Cobar, Armstrong admits that’s a tough ask.
But, given the standard of league tag at Parkes’ Western trials last Saturday, the Rams mentor was confident of an improved showing at Cowra for the championships.
“I’ll try and map out a bit of a game plan for the girls to stick to, but they can all play the game too. I’m sure the squad will be able to read the game and play accordingly,” he said.
“The Group 10 girls were fantastic, but I think we saw what level the game rise this year. There’s quality players in every team.”
Group 10 knocked off Woodbridge Cup 28-8 in their opening clash of the trials, Morrison scoring a hat-trick to confirm her standing as one of the best in the region, while Group 11 was defeated 12-4 by the Castlereagh-Barwon side.
WESTERN RAMS: Darcy Morrison (Bathurst St Pat's), Heidi Regan (Cargo Blue Heelers), Rebecca Ford (Orange Hawks), Claire Woolmington (Bathurst Panthers), Amy Hotham (Bathurst Panthers), Michelle Somers (Bathurst St Pat's), Jess Hotham (Bathurst Panthers), Demi Wilson (Dubbo CYMS), Ella Harris (Orange Hawks), Sheridan Lillyman (Coonamble Bears), Emma Gallagher (Dunedoo Swans), Monique Christie-Johnson (Bathurst Panthers), Lauren Sullivan (Dunedoo Swans), Rikka Lamb (Dubbo CYMS), Lisa Travis (Cobar Roosters).
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
