Under 14s Rugby

North West Regional Rugby 14’s Boys

Friday 23 July 2021

Round 8 saw Barraba undertake the long trip to Quirindi to play Scone. Scone arrived with a full team and several reserves as they were strengthened by the addition of players being home from boarding school.

Our 10 representatives joined with our 2 mates from Manilla Logan Northey at half and Sully Taber at inside centre along with a new player from Coonabarabran and volunteers from Scone to make up the full 15.

Our patched-up team started slowly and went behind 20 nil in the first half. A comeback was inspired by Jack ‘Deano’ Myers which saw him charging at the opposition. Dalton Chapman backing up scored our first try as he dived over buried opposition players. The boys responded and started contesting rucks and finished on top with another try before half time.

The second half saw Scone score an early try while Deano was on the sideline recovering from a sudden illness. Barraba then responded by changing tactics and throwing the ball around in the backs where Dalton Chapman, Cooper Chapman and Brandon Newell excelled in the open play.  A good team try finished off by Cooper saw Barraba come back into the game. The re-emergence of ‘Deano’ in the last 10 minutes saw Barraba finish strongly scoring the last 2 tries to take the lead for the first time with a few minutes remaining. Barraba held on for a come from behind win 29-27.

 ‘Deano’ Myers was outstanding and was well supported by the other forwards including Will Russell in the Front row, Jack Thompson at hooker, Jack Coombes and Harvey Tooth in second row and in particular Michael ‘I don’t care how big they are’ at breakaway who tackled his heart out and made a number of darting runs at the opposition.

All of the backs played well including Dalton ‘the nightmare’ Chapman at five eight, Brandon ‘the blonde assassin’ Newell in the centres and Captain Cooper Chapman at fullback.

Thanks to Troy Thomson for driving the bus and Ben Freeman for his help at training. Thankyou also to Mr Melville and Mr Davis.

Points : 3 each to Deano and Michael, 2 to Dalton and 1 each to Cooper and Brandon.

Friday 30 July 2021

 Barraba travelled to Tamworth to play the number 1 TAS side. Our 10 representatives joined with our 2 mates from Manilla, Logan Northey (half) and Sullivan Taber (Lock) along with Thomas Makim from Coonabarabran and 2 borrowed TAS players to take on the well-drilled TAS A side (TAS having 3 teams in this competition).

Despite being starved of possession Barraba somehow managed to stay in the game and at half time were only just behind. Tries to Jack ‘Deano’ Myers playing in the front row and Dustin ‘chopper’ Hiscock in the centres were the highlight. Fatigue set in as TAS continued to starve us of possession in the second half (along with a lop-sided penalty count against us) for TAS to run out 34-12 winners. The boys are to be commended for continuing to chase and tackle until the final whistle.

Deano led the way in the forwards and was well supported by the other forwards Will Russell, Jack Thomson, Sully Taber, Michael Walker and Jack Coombes. Thomas Makim had a great game with his throws into the lineout and work at the breakdown and Sully made some valuable contributions in the ruck and with his running game.

 Dustin ‘chopper’ Hiscock tackled his heart out in the backs as did, Logan Northey, Cooper Chapman (who played despite carrying an injury) and Dalton ‘the nightmare’ Chapman. Brock (Brockinater) Phillips playing in the centres tackled everything and competed well in the ruck.

Brandon (the blonde assassin) Newell playing out wide was impressive particularly in the ruck where he ferociously contested and made a regular ‘pest’ of himself to the opposition.

Boys we have work to do at training but keep your head up as in competing so well against a much bigger school (as we have done all season), we keep defying the odds and are punching well above our weight. Let’s learn from this experience and keep improving.

Thank you to Ben Freeman for his help at training and to Matt Walker for driving the bus. Thank you to the contingent of family, friends and staff including Ms Ebzery and Mr Good for supporting on the night. Thank you once again to Mr Davis.

Points for the night: 3 to Deano Myers and Dustin ‘chopper’ Hiscock. 2 points to Brandon Newell and 1 point to ‘Brockinater’ Phillips.

See you at training…….

Mr Maloney