WINGHAM’S football premiership drought could come to an end tomorrow.
The club has never won a senior title, however, two Wingham sides will play grand finals.
Wingham’s all age men’s team will tackle Bulahdelah in the grand final at the Zone Field at Taree Recreation Centre at 2pm.
Half an hour later the Warriors will meet Pacific Palms in the inaugural grand final of the zone championship at Pacific Palms.
Wingham will start favourite for the all age decider after winning the minor premiership this year.
However, Pacific Palms dominated the zone championship and at home will be the popular elect.
Wingham coach John Bevitt believes his side is coming good at the right time.
“We have six players travelling up from Newcastle each week. They can’t train with the team so it took us a while to get combinations,’’ he explained.
Bevitt said the six are all Wingham juniors now attending university in Newcastle.
Pacific Palms won a tight major semi 2-1 before Wingham accounted for Wauchope in the final.
The average age of the Wingham side is just 18 and Bevitt concedes grand final nerves could be a factor against the experienced and grand final hardened Pacific Palms squad, particularly in front of their vocal home crowd.
“But the team works well together,’’ he said.
“They get the job done.’’
Bevitt said there’ll be no change in training routine this week, with the Newcastle-based players not available to take part.
Regardless of the result Wingham will play Port Saints in a Football Mid North Coast Premier League promotion/relegation game on Saturday week at the Harry Elliott Oval. The Warriors played in the corresponding game last season and went down to Tuncurry-Forster Tigers, forcing them out of the premier league.
Wingham hadn’t played a game in five weeks leading into that match. This year will be the exact opposite, as Port Saints haven’t had a match since the premier league finish.
However, Bevitt said his players are concentrating on tomorrow’s game before worrying about next week.
He did reveal that if Wingham qualifies for the premier league next year the Newcastle based players will be available.
“And we might have a couple more,’’ he added.