In a mixed weekend, the young Shoalhaven side lost it’s three pool matches, two of them narrowly 3-2, before downing Tamworth in the relegation match 2-0. Coached by Greg Pullen and managed by Bernadette Pullen, the Shoalhaven boys showed plenty of courage in coming back from 2-0 down in two matches to almost force victories.

GAME 1 - LOSS TO GRAFTON 4-1

The first game of the championships was a bit of an eye opener for the young Shoalhaven side.

They dominated the opening 10 minutes and were unlucky not to convert a number of short corners.

The finally got on the board in the 11th minute when Alexz Crawford converted a short corner for Shoalhaven to be up 1-0.

William Clarke was also unlucky not to get a further goal, when a deflected shot just went wide. Unfortunately they then went off the boil as Grafton slowly started getting on top.

The northerners scored in the 14th minute to make it 1-1 and then went ahead 2-1 scoring again in the 18th, an advantage they held until half time.

They went further ahead in just the seventh minute of the second half before the game became an arm wrestle, Grafton again scored late in the game to secure a 4-1 victory.

Cade Ryan was a stand out, while Alexz Crawford, Callum Mackay, Tom D'Elboux and Justin Alford worked hard.

GAME 2 - LOSS TO BATHURST 3-2

Shoalhaven showed plenty of courage to fight back from 2-0 down in the first 10 minutes to almost force a tough draw but a late Bathurst goal broke the deadline.

Bathurst scored in the opening minute from a short corner and again in the eighth minute before the game became a battle of the midfields, with neither side able to get on top.

Shoalhaven got on the board in the eighth minute of the second half when Tyler Watson was on the end of a good movement to put away a good goal.

Shoalhaven made all the running, seemed to be getting on top and equalised in the 15th minute through Cameron McNab but, to Bathurst's credit, right at the death they scored the winning goal with just two minutes remaining.

Best players for Shoalhaven were Tom D'Elboux, Cade Ryan and Lain Murphy in goals stopped some great shots.

GAME 3 - LOSS TO PENRITH 3-2

Again a slow start hurt Shoalhaven, they trailed 2-0 after 13 minutes, Penrith scoring from a short corner and another goal, an advantage the Panthers held at the break, despite some good passages of play from Shoalhaven including one great run from Callum Mackay and a number of short corner attempts.

Shoalhaven slipped further behind in the opening minutes of the second half, when Penrith scored again to go up 3-0 but the Integrity boys showed real character to fight back, Tyler Watson scoring after a pin point cross from Cade Ryan.

Shoalhaven got back within a goal late in the game when Alexz Crawford deflected another Ryan cross into the goal and, despite dominating the last few minutes, they just couldn't get the equaliser.

Jack Coombes was a stand out in defence at fullback, a far cry from his usual position as a goal keeper but he dominated the back quarter of the field and, along with Tom D'Elboux, Nick Crawford and Ethan Chaffey playing well, while keeper Lain Murphy again pulled off some great saves.

GAME 4 - DEFEATED TAMWORTH 2-0

Shoalhaven then had to front up to face Tamworth in a relegation match in freezing wet conditions.

The side suffered a blow early in the match when Jack Coombes was struck in the mouth by a lifting stick and took no further part in the game.

In an evenly fought first half, both sides showed attacking flair and put their opposition under pressure forcing a number of short corners, but defences on both sides held firm.

Goalkeeper Lain Murphy had a sensational game, saving a number of shots on goal, including a one on one.

Shoalhaven broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Alexz Crawford converted a short corner to put his side up 1-0, which was the half time score.

They went further ahead in the second half when Lachlan Butfield was on the end of a Tyler Watson cross to calmly drag the keeper and put the goal away to go up 2-0.

Despite both sides having chances the score remained 2-0, ensuring Shoalhaven stayed in C division for 2008.

Best players for Shoalhaven were Cade Ryan, Callum Mackay, Lain Murphy, Alexz Crawford, Tom D'Elboux and Ethan Chaffey playing against his home association.

It was a good performance by Shoalhaven which had a wide range of experience - the side boasted four players at the top end of the age group, a number with previous representative experience and right down to players who were on their first rep tour, the youngest being just nine-years-old.

All up it was a good learning experience for the boys and will place them in good stead for seasons to come.