On the day of days at the 5th annual A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Competition at Pirtek Park Singleton it was the debutants from Bengalla that flexed their muscle out of the 18 teams that competed.
There may be some salary cap questions surrounding the squad with no shortage of talent, but it would be the ever-reliable Jackson Anshaw who was johnny on the spot to clean up a in goal miss-que from the Hunter Valley Operations United Cobras, to pounce on the match winner.
In the ladies challenge it was the Hunter Hawkettes who were victorious over the Valley Vixens in a 3-0 game in the second annual “Women in Mining” series. Bengalla’s Luke Holz, who blitzed it as H20 specialist for the Badgers, might be able to help the ladies out with some tips, given he spent more time on the field with a water bottle then Alfie Langer.
A shout out definitely needs to go to their first aid attendant, strapper, water boy and all-round good bloke Derek Wicks (who also helped out other teams that were short). He kept the team together better than anyone, and I believe was stripped of Man of the Final by player Daniel Hoogerwerf. Outrageous! Hand it over Hoogs you imposter.
Although, undeniably the biggest winner on the day was the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service with a record breaking $85,000 raised, bring total funds raised during the past five years to just shy of $300,000.
Event Coordinator and Community Liaison Officer for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Danny Eather said he is just astounded by the continued support of the both the business community and the wider community in supporting this event.
‘Being our 5th annual event, we are truly blown away by the continued support of the event, which continues to grow year on year.’
‘Our team of committed volunteers have worked hard to establish this event to be a highly anticipated event on the local sporting calendar. This was evident in the number of spectators that attended, with over 2500 attendees passing through the gate during the day, which is heart-warming’ Danny said.
Well done to all involved and maybe some other “mines” can take note and get onboard and get involved with their sides for the 2019 Challenge.
