Rugby Union News 27 Aug 22
Rugby Union News
The Barraba/Gwydir Rugby team travelled to Inverell on Saturday to play in a semi-final fixture for the first time for a number of years. Even though it was only second grade they came home with a win and another game in two weeks’ time. The venue to be decided after next week’s semi-final results.
The Rams got off to a good start, receiving a penalty early and kicking for the sideline, winning a lineout and controlled the ball for a few phases. Preston opened the scoring for a 5-0 lead, the conversion unsuccessful.
Play seesawed until Gunnedah kicked deep which resulted in a line drop out by the Rams. This allowed Gunnedah to put some phases together and score a try and convert for a 5-7 score line.
With Gunnedah dominating the scrum and winning some of the Rams lineouts they kept the pressure on Barraba. The Rams secured the ball from a mistake to again do some attacking which resulted in Preston scoring his second try which was converted for 12-7 lead at the half time break.
The second half was a tough affair, which is expected at this time of the season when results do count if you plan to go further in the competition.
A similar play to the first half when the line dropout was gathered by Gunnedah and after several phases and some good defence by the Rams, a hole was found with Gunnedah scoring a converted try for 12-14 score.
Gunnedah still dominated possession and the Rams defended stoutly to stop the scoring opportunities of the Red Devils.
With the game slipping away the Rams lifted their game with some very good running and handling skills to get the ball to Pfinger to score out wide for a 17-14 to the Rams.
They managed to hold their game together for the last 6 minutes to come out on top to live another day – well done boys.
The Player’s Player was J. Rogers
Next week major semis to be held at Gunnedah are as follows;
11.45am Girls Pirates v Narrabri
1pm 2nd’s Moree v Pirates
3pm 1st’s Gunnedah v Narrabri
To finish on a good note for Rugby was the win by the Wallabies over the Springboks by 25-17 which I would say was a big surprise as the ‘Boks’ are the world champions. Australia led all the way. It will be interesting next week in Sydney, while the try saving tackle by Korobetie on the winger was much better than the three man tackle in league or flop on.