The Cobar Blues representative netball Under 17s and Opens teams attended the all ages representative carnival in Griffith on Sunday.
The teams competed in the same division against Griffith, Narrandera and Leeton sides.
In the first round the Open side went through undefeated however in the second round they came up against a re-energised Griffith team who out-played the tiring Cobar side.
Six weeks out from their State Championships campaign, Coach Amie Hill said this was a great eye opener to the level of fitness her players will require in order to be able to play eight games a day.
“Hopefully this will motivate the girls to spend extra time working on their individual fitness over the next six weeks,” Hill said.
The Blues Under 17s played a great game against Narrandera beating them 13-9 in the first round and finishing with a draw against them in Round 2.
The younger Cobar side also drew with the Cobar Open team in the second round.
The U17s started the day short with Hannah Carroll out with an arm injury and Stevie Toomey was sidelined after rolling her ankle in her Cobar Netball Association competition game the day before.
“Neve Carter stepped up to help out the side and did a remarkable job,” Hill commented.
After a thorough warm-up and wearing an ankle brace Stevie was able to take the court ensuring the team had one substitute for the day.
Lauren Urquhart was the dominant shooter while Abby Carswell, Madasan Taylor and Allira Hurst shared the mid court roles.
Zoe Carter had a brilliant day working tirelessly in the defensive end and encouraging her younger team mate Imogen Budd.
“The carnival was a positive end to a disappointing week for the U17s who learnt that Netball NSW had denied the younger players from playing in the U17s side at the State Championships” Hill said.
She said with the team’s younger players Hannah, Allira and Imogen not allowed to play up in the higher age group, Cobar doesn’t have enough players to field an U17s side.
“This was heart breaking for the girls who have been training and fundraising for the championships since the beginning of the year.
“Cobar will now only be able to send an Opens team to the championships.”
Hill said the Cobar players will continue to train and some have been given the opportunity to attend the State Championships, however they will be playing for the Leeton and Glen Innes Netball Associations teams.
