Jerrabomberra Public School (JPS) assembled a quality football team, with representatives from both the Queanbeyan P.S.S.A and Tablelands P.S.S.A representative teams. The girls were excited to be representing their school and were set for a big day out in what would become a cold and wet day in Goulburn.

In Round 1, JPS drew a developing Gunning P.S team. JPS started out with an early goal with Alyssa opening her goal scoring account, with some quality ball from the midfield. Erin and Dominique built on an amazing representative partnership and looked dangerous with every touch. Gunning fought hard and didn’t skip a beat when a one on one opportunity presented itself with Zoe finding the wet ground tough and slipped whilst diving, producing a great goal being scored by the Gunning forward.

The JPS girls motivated after conceding a goal, pushed on with Alyssa and Isabel producing a masterclass of attack presenting a further 6 goals resulting in a 7 to 1 win to JPS. The best part of this match coming at the end when JPS girls being humble in their victory and thanking their opposition for the game and wishing them good luck for the rest of the day.

Round 2 brought JPS facing off against cross town rivals Queanbeyan Public School (QPS) in what would be a tough game resulting in some injuries that would push the side’s fitness. Both Eilish and Erin, after producing great 1^st round games, found themselves sitting out with injury and were restless on the sideline. This game against QPS brought out a midfield dynamo and leader of next season’s team, with Dominque having a break out game and scoring 2 great goals. QPS attack brought Brooke and Halle into the game with plenty of work being required from both of the left and right backs.

In a game that did not reflect the end score of 5-0, QPS put up a great battle and pushed the JPS girls all the way to the final whistle. It was great to see the end of game cheers and catch ups as both teams have girls who play together for the Monaro Panthers.

Round 3 brought out the 4 teams to battle it out in the Semi Finals. JPS drew the strong Braidwood P.S (BPS) team who just came off a hard fought match verse last year’s champions in Bungendore P.S with a 4-1 win. In the battle between JPS and BPS, both teams were determined to make the grand final and after a tough 1st half the scores remained locked at 0-0. The second half produced another great display from Lila and Zoe who built on their defensive partnership as Sweeper and Goal Keeper, with Lila shutting down numerous attacking runs from BPS and getting the ball down the line to Chloe and Reanna to counter attack.

With the scores still locked at 0-0 and little time to the final whistle, no one could pick which team would go through to the grand final, when suddenly in a moment of individual determination and skill, Sophia stepped up and in what could only be described as her taking on the whole defensive line in a perfectly timed run, managed to get away an amazing shot at goal, hitting the back of the net in the blink of an eye, scoring what would become the semi final winning goal and possibly one of the best goals of the day.

With only half an hour rest, the JPS girls although being exhausted and running on pure adrenaline from winning the semi-final, were set and ready to contest the Grand Final against the exceptional Bradfordville P.S (BPS) from Goulburn who were not only undefeated, but had not conceded a goal all day.

The first half brought about a lot of movement from one side to the other with JPS defence working hard to stop a great attacking team with the girls being locked at 0-0 at half time. The second half had all the girls being pushed physically and mentally as they tried to contain BPS’s great offensive, whilst producing their own fast paced counter attacks off the back of Zoe’s determined kick outs hitting half way every time. This had the midfield working harder than ever with Makaila joining Dominque, Erin and Lila who were constantly under pressure to shut down BPS.

At full time and with the score remaining locked at 0-0, the referee brought in both teams and all the officials and advised of them of 5 minutes of extra time each and if there was still no result the game would be determined on corners, and if they were still tied it would then be decided on the flip of a coin.

The girls played their hearts out, with it being mentioned in the team huddle before extra time that “We are representing everyone at our school, from Kindergarten to year six and all of our teachers, we can do this!”

In extra time the teams produced some great football which proved the girls wanted a result. Zoe produced four amazing goal saves in extra time and nailed a massive kick out after each to produce some of the best field position for a JPS counter attack with no result. In the last minute of the game and off the back of another huge kick, Zoe pushed up, exposing her goal in one last massive counter attack to play as a defender with the sweeper Lila leading the whole team in pushing up in a last ditch attempt to get the result. In an incredible personal best effort of 14 goal saves and producing a clean sheet, Zoe produced one of the finest displays as a goal keeper that you could ever imagine. With the final whistle sounding the game ended in an astounding fashion on the back of a none stop arm wrestle between two quality school sides.

The referee determined the result had to be in favour of Bradfordville P.S on corner kicks of 3-1. Although devastated at not receiving the result, the Jerrabomberra P.S girls maintained their dignity and gamesmanship in which they demonstrated all day and were humble in knowing that they remained undefeated in a remarkable grand final which included extra time. The JPS girls had an unforgettable day and produced quality, entertaining football and represented their school with pride and respect.

After the game all the girls came together with the year 6 girls wishing their year 5 team mates all the best for next year!

Final results:

Round 1: Jerrabomberra P.S v Gunning P.S (7-1) Alyssa 5 goals, Isabel 2 goals.

Round 2: Jerrabomberra P.S v Queanbeyan P.S (5-0) Dominque 2 goals, Alyssa 2 goals, Isabel 1 goal.

Semi Final: Jerrabomberra P.s v Braidwood P.S (1-0) Sophia 1 goal.

Grand Final: Jerrabomberra P.S v Bradfordville P.S (0-0) Bradfordville on corners (3-1) Zoe personal best of 14 Saves.

This article was supplied by Jason Fuller, father of a student from Jerrabomberra Public School.