A record number of NSW touch football teams converged on Port Macquarie on Friday for the annual three-day NSW Junior State Cup.
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Almost 360 teams from across the state will compete at Regional Stadium and the Tuffins Lane precinct for the last time, with a northern and southern conference system coming into play from next year.
It was a day Port Macquarie’s under-16 girls coach Cath Eichmann was satisfied with.
In a long day which ended just before 6pm, the Makos finished with three wins and a draw to have them on track to finish on top of their pool.
Eichmann believed their biggest challenge was going to be the final game of day one against Wagga Wagga.
That proved the case as the Makos and Vipers played out an entertaining 3-all draw.
“It was one of the best junior touch games I have witnessed,” Eichmann said.
“The girls kept their heads and stuck to the game plan and got a great result against a team that usually finish in the top four.
“We’re hopeful of two wins tomorrow and securing a for and against that could see us finish first in our pool.”
Earlier in the day organisers kept a close eye on the temperature gauge as it headed into the 30s before a cooling breeze kept things relatively comfortable.
Port Macquarie’s 10 teams registered a total of 21 wins, eight losses and two draws in day one action.
The under-16 boys pushed competition favourites Manly all the way before they succumbed 5-1 in their tournament opener.
Surprise packets the under-18 girls registered a 5-3 win in their second match after a slow start.
They then hammered Berkeley Vale 7-0 in their final match of the day.
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