Under-13 boys make hockey history

Grafton crowned NSW Division One champions on home turf.

Grafton player Tim McGarvie shoots on goal in the Under 13s State hockey championships Division 1 final on Brent Livermore Field. . Picture: Adam Hourigan

HOCKEY: A group of larrikin teenagers has achieved the best result for Grafton Hockey Association in recent memory, taking out the Division One title at the Under 13s Boys State Championships.

The Under 13s Grafton (I) side mentored by Sailors' Darryl Clark put on a dominant display all weekend to defend their home turf at the Clarence Valley Regional Hockey Complex.

Grafton takes out state title

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The side only conceded five goals across the weekend with three of those coming during the finals series which wrapped up on Brent Livermore Field in Sunday's game.

The ragtag bunch from Grafton met country rivals Tamworth in the final on Sunday afternoon in what was an evenly matched contest.

It was not until Grafton striker Tim McGregor flicked home the first goal of the match at the 20-minute mark that the momentum shifted in Grafton's favour.

It was merely seconds before McGregor knocked his second goal past the Tamworth goalkeeper and Grafton had the ascendancy heading into half-time 2-0 up.

Tamworth returned in the second half with a renewed vigour and started making inroads through the Grafton defence, but the goal circle desperation of the home side stopped their visitors short.

Grafton scored another goal before Tamworth finally got themselves on the board to give themselves a chance at 3-1 with a quarter of the game left.

But Grafton's tenacity was unrelenting throughout the clash with McGregor again adding to his tally twice more before a Tamworth consolation goal finished with the score at 5-2.

Grafton 2 toiled away all weekend but struggled to find their rhythm.

The boys secured a late win on Saturday to remain in Division 2 next year.

Grafton 2 hockey side

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Originally published as Under-13 boys make hockey history