CALLALA Bay's Ben Atkins and his New South Wales Blue side won their 11th straight National CP Championship, Australia's national seven-a-side tournament for players with cerebral palsy, after defeating Western Australia 5-1 in the 2019 final at Valentine Sports Park.
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NSW Blue started the decider brilliantly, taking the lead after less than 20 seconds when Jack Williams crossed from the left wing, providing Daniel Campbell with a tap in.
It was 2-nil to the Blues inside three minutes.
Once again it was Campbell who found the net, racing onto an excellent scoop pass from Taj Lynch and drilling a low shot into the net.
Western Australia responded straight away, and NSW Blue shotstopper Christopher Pyne had to be at his best to keep out a Bradley Scott effort.
Jared Eiby was also active in the Western Australian goal, and he denied Connor Marsh twice in quick succession with some alert goalkeeping.
Midway through the first half, Atkins, fresh off a World Cup appearance with the Pararoos, brought the best out of Eiby, forcing him to claw a long range strike away from the top corner.
Atkins headed wide from the resulting corner, and a couple of minutes later he set up Williams, but Eiby would close down the angle well.
Atkins persisted, and played a part in NSW Blue's third goal on 23 minutes.
It was his through ball that created a chance for Marsh, and although Eiby was able to save, the rebound left Williams with a simple finish.
Western Australia kept pushing, and got their reward with half-time approaching.
Connor Bunce showed the form that took him to the Golden Boot, surging past three opponents before beating Pyne with the outside of his left boot.
Bunce continued to threaten after the break, unleashing a couple of powerful shots early in the second half, Pyne doing superbly well to keep both of them out.
However, the next goal would go to the Blues.
Campbell took a quick free kick in the 40th minute and Matthew Hearne, on as a half-time substitute, rolled the ball into the bottom corner to make it 4-1.
Two minutes later it was 5-1.
Campbell beat a defender on the left flank before heading straight towards goal and finishing emphatically.
He completed his hat-trick, and it was only fitting that he would be named as Player of the Match.
