SEE ALL THE PHOTOS AND RESULTS FROM GRAND FINAL DAY A Hayley Ford-intercept followed by a length-of-the-field run proved the difference between the Armidale Rams and the Glen Innes Magpies in Sunday's Group 19 league tag grand final. In a tightly contested grand final, the Rams held a 6-nil lead at half-time, courtesy of a Jymia Speeding try from dummy-half. The Magpies scored back-to-back four points via Courtney Watts and Emilie Hodge to edge out in front 8-6. With three minutes left on the clock, the Rams found themselves defending their own line after repeat penalties and a sin-binning before Ford grabbed her opportunity. She read a Glen Innes play perfectly to pluck the ball from the air and go the length of the field to seal the 10-8 win. Ford also picked up player of the match for her efforts. Armidale Rams league tag coach Jess Smith described Sunday's grand final win over Glen Innes as a "long time coming." "To see all the hard work, time and energy pay off, there is just no better feeling," she said. "I don't think there's enough words to describe how proud I am of each and everyone of them. "There's a wide range of experience in the team, girls who have been playing for years, and girls who have never picked up a footy until this year. "A lot of people had written us off, but they were able to rise above all that adversity and prove to everyone and themselves that they are champions." Smith was impressed with their determination in the fightback. "They wanted it so badly and were never going to give up fighting," she said. "Being behind they could've given up and let it slip away but they just wanted it too much to let that happen." Although they grabbed the early lead, Glen threatened their line repeatedly and Smith advised her side to tighten up their defence. "Half-time words were stern for sure, and mostly focused around defence," she said. "We had to tighten it up and work harder together, communication had to improve between everyone. We had 25 minutes to go and if we wanted the trophy then we had to put everything we had into getting it. "Full credit to the Glen team, very tough opponents and the game was exactly what a grand final should be." As for whether she will aim for back-to-back titles, Smith will put her hand up for the mentoring role again in 2020. "It is an emotional roller coaster with high highs and low lows, but it's definitely one of the most rewarding things you can do, and if they'll have me, then I'd be happy to go again for sure," she said. "I hope all the girls stick at it and keep playing. I know there is a couple who are considering retiring but hopefully this will inspire them to hang around a bit longer. And the newcomers to the sport really put in and played vital roles all season and I would love them to stick with it for years to come."
A Hayley Ford-intercept followed by a length-of-the-field run proved the difference between the Armidale Rams and the Glen Innes Magpies in Sunday's Group 19 league tag grand final.
In a tightly contested grand final, the Rams held a 6-nil lead at half-time, courtesy of a Jymia Speeding try from dummy-half.
The Magpies scored back-to-back four points via Courtney Watts and Emilie Hodge to edge out in front 8-6.
With three minutes left on the clock, the Rams found themselves defending their own line after repeat penalties and a sin-binning before Ford grabbed her opportunity.
She read a Glen Innes play perfectly to pluck the ball from the air and go the length of the field to seal the 10-8 win.
Ford also picked up player of the match for her efforts.
Armidale Rams league tag coach Jess Smith described Sunday's grand final win over Glen Innes as a "long time coming."
"To see all the hard work, time and energy pay off, there is just no better feeling," she said.
"I don't think there's enough words to describe how proud I am of each and everyone of them.
"There's a wide range of experience in the team, girls who have been playing for years, and girls who have never picked up a footy until this year.
"A lot of people had written us off, but they were able to rise above all that adversity and prove to everyone and themselves that they are champions."
Smith was impressed with their determination in the fightback.
"They wanted it so badly and were never going to give up fighting," she said.
"Being behind they could've given up and let it slip away but they just wanted it too much to let that happen."
Although they grabbed the early lead, Glen threatened their line repeatedly and Smith advised her side to tighten up their defence.
"Half-time words were stern for sure, and mostly focused around defence," she said.
"We had to tighten it up and work harder together, communication had to improve between everyone. We had 25 minutes to go and if we wanted the trophy then we had to put everything we had into getting it.
"Full credit to the Glen team, very tough opponents and the game was exactly what a grand final should be."
As for whether she will aim for back-to-back titles, Smith will put her hand up for the mentoring role again in 2020.
"It is an emotional roller coaster with high highs and low lows, but it's definitely one of the most rewarding things you can do, and if they'll have me, then I'd be happy to go again for sure," she said.
"I hope all the girls stick at it and keep playing. I know there is a couple who are considering retiring but hopefully this will inspire them to hang around a bit longer. And the newcomers to the sport really put in and played vital roles all season and I would love them to stick with it for years to come."
