Rugby Club facilities upgrade
Rugby Union
The Barraba Rugby Club has been successful in gaining a substantial grant under the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund which was pushed by Kevin Anderson after much time and effort by Brianna Mack as the Club Secretary to fill in the requirements for these grants. As anyone who has to fill them in knows it is very time consuming and technical.
The grant is $678073 and a presentation was made to Club President, Simon Koopman, at the Barraba Show in May. This grant will allow the Club to erect 2 women’s changerooms, a room for the referees, a store room and a rumpus room for the younger brigade. A starting date has not been decided upon at this time, but at the conclusion of this year’s competition would be suitable for the builders.
As the ground is used by the rugby and the school for the boys under 16s, girls under 14s and the big junior carnival each year which is one of the largest in the north of the state. Schools use the grounds for sports carnivals, cross country runs, while cricket in summer season for seniors and juniors when the parents are found to run the games. When Touch Football was in full swing, games were played under lights as well as some rugby matches as the ground is well lit up. Some functions are held in the Clubhouse when organisations or families wish to hire the facilities for a specific reason.
A mistake in last week’s game score against Narrabri reported as 24-7 should have been 24-17, or after a late try by Barraba/Gwydir would have ended in a drawn game. Reports of a hard tussle for a result saw a big improvement in the local team after a 46-0 loss in round one of the comp.
Ladies Day on Saturday started with a flop as the Gunnedah girls failed to turn up for the game, but the ladies who showed up for the day seemed to have a good time.
Gunnedah turned up for the men’s game and were behind early after a Rafter penalty 3 minutes into the game. It was the only time the locals were in front on the day, as Gunnedah attacked with forwards and backs charging up the field to add 2 converted tries for a 3-14 score. Barraba were having troubles with their lineouts but with some good runs from Mellor, Zac Mallise and Will Robinson got close enough to the line for Sweeney to charge over and Rafter to convert to 10-14. Just before half-time Gunnedah had a penalty shot which hit the posts and failure to gather the ball saw Gunnedah score beside the posts for a further try 10-19 at the break.
The second half saw Gunnedah score early and convert for a 26-10 lead. Barraba replied shortly after with a try to Will Robinson which was converted by Rafter for 17-26. Rafter was sin-binned for 10 minutes shortly after. Barraba were having trouble at the back of the scrums and rucks with Preston being caught on a number of occasions failing to get the ball away quickly. The service improved when Spencer was moved to the scrumbase, he now needs to turn up for training.
A try each to both teams saw the final score 22-33 to Gunnedah, but they knew they were in a game with Zac and Jack Mallise, Jack McCarthy and Will Robinson making some strong runs to gain metres. They put some starch in defence as well.
Gunnedah are on top of the 1st Grade and 3rd in Reserve Grade, so not a bad result Barraba are 5th.
Player’s Player Zac Mallise
3rd Will Robinson
2nd Jack Robinson
1st Nick Sweeney and Jack Ward
This coming weekend Barraba has a bye before playing Scone on the 16th July.