Rugby Union - great start to the season

6th April 2022

Rugby Union News

Saturday saw a trial game between the Barbarians from Armidale and Barraba/Gwydir in the Men’s and Women’s games.

The girls game showed the visitors, with a larger selection base, would be a bit strong for the locals and the score of 44-24 proved that. But the girls kept going to the end with Natalie Philpott scoring two tries. Abby Mallise also having a big game, running hard and getting a try. Gemma McDouall ran hard and proved a handful for the defence and Emily Kelso showed some pace when given the chance. All in all a good hit out for the season opener. Well done girls.

The Mens game started with the BaaBaas scoring an early try from a missed tackle from Austin to lead 5-0, but the locals struck back with a try and conversion to Rafter. This resulted from a good run from Liam Mack and good support play, 7-5.

Being a trial, the players were being changed all the time so they got a reasonable amount of time on the field.

Barraba was producing some good defence with low tacking and good work around the break downs. The BaaBaas got close to scoring on a couple of occasions, but the defence held.

The condition of the locals looked to be a lot better than last year and resulted, with good backing up by W. Robinson, to score under the posts and converted 14-5.

Liam Mack was next to score when he gathered a ball on his own try-line and proceeded to run, kick and chase the ball to score a try at the other end 21-5.

Jack Robinson finished the scoring after some good forward work with a try under the posts for a final score 28-5.

The game showed the Club will have a reasonable side for this year, who will find it hard against the likes of Pirates, Narrabri who they play in the opening game on the 9th April, which will be played in Narrabri.

Paul King, the Zone President, came over to have a look at the game as there was a bit of doubt over the Barraba/Gwydir squad this year. But the weekend trial gave the club some insight for the better things to look forward to this season.