As the end of 2018 approaches, we have taken a look back at the biggest sporting moments in the Macleay this year.
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There have been plenty of highs and some lows, so keep reading as we countdown our top six moments.
6 – Rangers women claim premiership
A year earlier they didn’t have a side, but that didn’t prevent Rangers from having premiership aspirations when the 2018 season started.
The women’s team made a statement to the rest of the competition when they defeated the defending champions the Wauchope Waratahs 5-1 in round five and followed it up a week later with a 2-0 win over the then competition leaders Port United.
A dip in form late in the season resulted in the Rangers finishing in third position and they were facing elimination after a 3-1 loss to United in the opening week of the finals.
However, led by the Tamblyn sisters, Emma and Heidi, Rangers produced a 3-0 victory over the defending champions Wauchope to advance to a preliminary final showdown with crosstown rivals and minor premiers Kempsey Saints Green.
In a highly entertaining contest, the Rangers produced another near-perfect performance to earn a 3-0 win and book a date with United in the grand final.
In an end-to-end game, the Rangers kept a clean sheet and a lucky shot from Siobhan Musgrave found the back of the net to give the Macleay Valley the 1-0 victory.
5 – Dominating the Hat Head Trig
Kempsey young gun Tom Fletcher stood out at the Hat head Trig this week as he accomplished what only one person had achieved before him.
The 15-year-old was the first up and down in the mountain in the boys race and after completing the run in 16:51, minutes later, he lined up for the senior race and again finished in first place, this time in a time of 14:34.
Read more: 2018 Hat Head Trig one for the ages
Fletcher’s win in both races was historic as only Lachlan Davidson had accomplished the feat before him.
4 – Cannonballs rewrite history books with a century of points
The Cannonballs didn’t have much to celebrate this season, but their mid-season clash with the Wauchope Thunder was one for the history books.
The Cannonballs entered the game searching for momentum and after a slow start they were able to produce their best attacking performance of all time, as they surpassed the century mark for a 100-3 victory.
It was the first time the Cannonballs ever reached three figures and it will go down as one of the biggest wins in Upper Mid North Coast Rugby Union history.
Read more: Cannonballs hit the century mark | Photos
While the Cannonballs suffered multiple injuries to key players over the past two seasons, signs are starting to look a lot more positive with junior players such as Heath Lancaster, Harry Mainey and Tyler Allan beginning to leave their mark in first grade.
3 - Magpies soar late to claim maiden women's title
The Magpies women defied the odds to overcome their slow start to the Group 3/Hastings League women’s 9s competition to lift the premiership trophy.
The Magpies were winless after their opening four rounds of play but they stormed home to finish the season on an eight game undefeated run, which includes the 8-4 grand final victory over the Pirates.
The Magpies women will look to continue their form into the 13-a-side game next season.
In another positive note, four Magpies women were selected to play for the Group Three representative team in the inaugural match against Group Two.
Macleay’s Ellen Hetherington, Shawnee Potts, Megan Archibald and Tahlisa Daley-Button lined up for Group Three but unfortunately were overlooked for selection into the North Coast Bulldogs side.
2 – Mustangs’ season to forget
A season of turmoil, player instability and injuries led to one of the Mustangs’ worst ever seasons.
The club was forced to withdraw from both senior divisions as they were unable to field competitive teams in first and reserve grade.
Fortunately, the Mustangs Under-18.5s and Ladies League Tag continued to fly the flag for the club. The ladies missed out on the finals series but the always competitive Under-18.5s side reached the preliminary final.
The uncertain future of the Mustangs continued into the off-season as they didn’t have a representative at the Group Three Rugby League AGM.
However, the appointment of David Fernando as the new president of the club has created positive signs for 2019.
Read more: Mustangs appoint new president
The Mustangs recently met the requirements to remain in the Group Three competition.
The club is hoping to announce new signings in the near future and pre-season training has already begun.
1 – Rangers overcome 3-0 deficit to record historical premiership victory
The Rangers overcame one of the darker days in their club history and took an improbable journey towards their 2018 premiership.
The side started the season deducted three competition points and were forced to play their first two games on the road. Despite the challenges, they rallied to win their first seven games of the season.
The Rangers suffered their first defeat against Wallis Lake in round seven and the side went on to suffer two more losses against their rivals before their grand final clash.
Macleay Valley suffered one of their worst defeats in their history in a 6-1 loss on the road to Port United in round 15 but the side was still able to hold on to second position on the ladder.
The Rangers were trailing 2-0 to United on home soil in the opening week of the finals series but they rallied back to level the scores at 2 and force the game into extra-time.
Sam Applegate produced one of the goals of his career to give his side the advantage before Andrew Potter doubled their advantage and ensured the side would advance to the grand final qualifier.
However, Wallis Lake again proved too strong as the Rangers suffered a 3-2 defeat.
In another highly entertaining encounter, the Rangers and Port United again went into extra time in their preliminary final but on this occasion the sides couldn’t be separated and they were destined for a penalty shootout.
United stepped up for their fourth penalty shot and they had a chance to clinch the win. However, John Clancy, in his first full season as a goal keeper, became the hero as he produced back-to-back saves which gave his side the victory and advanced them to the big dance to have one last shot at Wallis Lake.
On a very windy day, the Rangers went into the sheds at half-time facing a 3-0 deficit. However, the never-say-die attitude had been with the Rangers outfit all season and when Chris Walker lifted the ball over the keepers head to score his side’s first goal, the flood gates opened as Chad Applegate quickly reduced the deficit further before Andrew Potter, in his final game for the club, found the back of the net to level the scores.
For the third time in the finals series, the Rangers went into extra-time.
The momentum was with the Rangers and a hand ball was ruled to have occurred inside the Wallis Lake penalty area, John Henry converted from the penalty spot to give Rangers their first lead of the game before Chad Applegate put the result beyond doubt and give the Rangers a historical 5-3 victory.
It was a match for the ages and the Macleay Argus’ most memorable sporting moment of 2018.
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