Port Macquarie Sharks women's seniors beaten in 2018 Oztag State Cup final after extra-time

Port Macquarie’s senior women’s team went within a whisker of claiming the 2018 NSW State Cup oztag title in Coffs Harbour on Sunday.

Ultimately the Sharks fell just short in a heartbreaking 3-2 extra-time grand final loss to South Sydney after scores were locked at 2-all at fulltime.

Co-captain Laura Cudmore remained positive following the defeat which saw the team progress further than they previously had before.

“There was nothing in it at all,” she said.

“It was try for try and then normally (you have) eight on the field and then in extra time it was five so we’d never played in that scenario before so it was all new.”

The Sharks qualified for the final after finishing with four wins from their six pool games.

A 3-2 win over Newcastle in the semi-final avenged a 2-1 loss earlier in the tournament before their luck ran out.

“We had never previously made it past the quarter-finals,” Cudmore said.

“It would have been nice to win the final, but we’re not disappointed at all, we’re just happy and proud of everyone’s effort.

“Before the weekend came we never thought we could make the grand final let alone go so close in extra time.

“It could have gone either way.”

Cudmore said after welcoming new members into the team in the last couple of years, they had reaped the rewards of continued hard work.

She admitted Sunday morning training sessions throughout the year with other Port Macquarie teams had contributed to their success.

“We’ve been training against both the mixed opens and the men’s 45s so I think that definitely helped our defence a little bit,” the captain said.

“That was our strong point throughout the tournament; we didn’t concede that many tries.”

The Sharks co-captain said their almost 12-month preparation had been the key factor in their run to the final.

“We have been playing together for longer now,” she said.

“From nationals last year when we started training in July or August, we only had a quick break over Christmas and then got straight back into training.”

Some members of the team continue to learn their own games and have worked hard with the help of the coaching staff.

“The coach works individually with us on all our strengths and weaknesses and then that works in a team environment,” Cudmore said.

While disappointed not to claim gold in Coffs Harbour, Cudmore said they were satisfied with the effort.

“We were competitive which was important because we didn’t want to make it all the way and then cop a touch up in a grand final,” she said.

“Mandy McCudden made so many metres from dummy half when we were coming out of our own end and Raquel Lievore was good as well.”