Sport
Girls Rugby
A huge congratulations to Anastasia Martin (yr 10) who on the weekend of 11th/12th May, was selected to play in the girls Rugby Country Champs. From there, she has been selected to represent New South Wales in the NSW Country Junior Rugby Union team. Well done Anastasia, and we wish you all the best.
Cricket News
Congratulations to Vanessa Simpson (yr 9) who has recently been named in the under 15 female Cricket Academy Squad and Congratulations also, to Jackson Gwynne (yr 12) who has been named in the NSW/ACT Country male under 19 Cricket Academy Squad.
The duo will train during the winter months before the final team selections are narrowed down from the preliminary squads of 20.
Good Luck!
2019-20 AAP BOYS SQUAD
Congratulations to our year 11 students, Jake McCann, Nathan Czinner and Kieran Wicks on making the HNSW Athlete Acceleration Program Squad.
Soccer Report
BY MR MAY
The O'Connor under 15 boys soccer team faced off against a highly fancied Armidale Secondary College team in the second round of the Bill Turner knockout competition. Despite having accounted for Inverell High in round 1, the boys were under no illusions as to the challenge that the ASC team was going to provide.
The conditions were challenging for both teams, with the strong southerly gusting across the field affecting both team's passing games and long shots, ensuring that the majority of the game would be an old-fashioned running tussle. Both teams rose to the occasion, playing a vigorous brand of football that tested each team's defences and ability to mount attacking raids into the opposition half.
ASC were the first to score, taking advantage of a momentary lapse of intensity in the OCCC midfield and back line. Keeper Josh Urquhart was unable to block a thunderous right footed volley into the goal mouth as the ASC team went 1 up. The OCC lads were undaunted by this and began to seek out gaps in the opposition defences, taking advantage of some weaknesses out wide and bypassing the strong ASC midfield.Our boys were not overawed by the distinct height advantage possessed by the majority of the ASC team and took the attack right up to them, as well as mounting an excellent scrambling defence that nullified every ASC attacking raid.
The second half commenced as the first half had ended, an even tussle between two well matched sides. This situation did not last long however as a strong right flank raid by the OCC team saw Tyler McCann hammer home a well deserved equaliser. The game lifted considerably from that point, with each side seeking to finish off the match, however neither could break the deadlock. At the end of regulation time the scores were locked 1-1 with two tired teams looking down the barrel of golden goal extra time.
The next 20 minutes were a testament to the grit and determination of both sides as they tested each other's defences and tenaciously repelled attacking raids. The OCCC backline effectively employed a scrambling defensive technique that frustrated the ASC forwards and midfielders, while our forwards were unable to break through the opposition defensive structure. By the end of 20 minutes and down to 9 players a side, the score was still 1-1, and the dreaded spectre of a penalty shootout loomed over both teams. Sadly - and to quote the Highlander, there can only be one - the OCC team was unable to break through to the next round of the competition, going down 4-5 in penalties.
Great sportsmanship was demonstrated by both teams throughout the game and in the minutes after, as the ASC and OCC teams congratulated and commiserated with each other. The OCC team showed enormous strength of character to take their more highly fancied opposition to the extreme limit, and showed great promise for future years.
Athletics Carnival 2019
2019 Champions
