MOSS VALE’S under-18s had a successful run at the NSW Country Championships over the long weekend, with wins over Canberra, Orange, Albury, Maitland, and Newcastle, but it wasn’t enough to take out the title.
The Magic were beaten by Illawarra in the round matches and again in the final to finish second.
Moss Vale got off to a flying start in the final, leading 15-9 at quarter time thanks to some accurate shooting by captain Tom Meyers and Dayne Hutchinson.
Illawarra fought back in the second term, but the Magic led 23-20 at the main break.
The three-point half time lead was reduced to a point at three quarter time, before a 12-1 final quarter helped the Hawks to a 44-34 win.
Hutchinson and Nick Madden top scored for Moss Vale with 10 points, while Meyers hit seven.
The Magic’s biggest win of the tournament was against Albury, with a 52-29 annihilation of the southerners.
Coach Rick Davies said he was proud of the team’s performance throughout the championships.
The under-18s season is far from over, with the Barrengarry and Southern Junior League seasons still in full swing.
The team has yet to lose a match at Barrengarry level and have had mixed results in the first two rounds of the Southern Junior League.