Team hoping for third time lucky

Top four in NSW: Alstonville PS rugby union team.

ALSTONVILLE Public School’s rugby union team has another chance to advance to the State final of the open primary schools knockout.

The Years 5-6 team last week defeated Tamworth 17-12 for the right to play in the semi-finals in Sydney next week.

It will be the eighth time Alstonville Public has made the semi-finals. If they win, the team’s coach, Frank Scott, hopes it will be third time lucky, having reached the final twice before only to lose both times.

“The Alstonville-Wollongbar area is strong in junior rugby,” Scott said.

“Half of the team plays rugby regularly and the other half would come from a mix of rugby league, soccer, Aussie rules. Every year we put our team through various development days so we’re generating momentum. We’ve been regional finalists for the past 10 years.”

The team will play Dubbo South in Sydney and, depending on results, will play in either the final or the third place play-off on the same day.