Rugby Report - loss to Pirates
Rugby Report
The Barraba Rams were home to last season’s top teams in the second grade and women’s rugby, so were expecting top opposition and that was the story of the day.
Pirates put pressure on Barraba to have the men’s game on first which caught a lot of supporters off guard as they missed all, or some, of a hard game.
First points went to the Rams after a penalty to Clarke after Pirates kicked the ball dead and Barraba started to play from half way into Pirates territory where the penalty occurred for a 3-0 lead.
Pirates had 2 chances to kick a penalty but took the scrum instead and were held out by some stout defence. Staines was injured and replaced by J. Mallise.
In the 15 minute mark a very good backline move from inside their half saw Sloane finish off the play with a try in the corner for an 8-0 lead.
Pirates put some pressure on the Rams and again set a scrum and this paid off with a try and conversion 8-7 to Rams. With 10 minutes left Barraba again ran the ball from their half with good hands for Pfingst to score near the post for a converted try 15-7 Rams.
Pirates hit back with a similar result for a halftime score, Barraba 15, Pirates 14 and a very even game. A highlight of the half was the lineout work by Barraba with K Ward featuring strongly.
The second half saw a couple of changes in the forwards with Z Mallise and J McCarthy on for periods which improved the scrum. But the team gave away silly penalties which eventually saw Pirates take a tap and score and convert for a 15-21 lead. They started to show some good backline work which resulted in a try wide out for a 15-26 lead.
The referee, on being asked about the number of penalties said that he thought the new laws, taking short cuts and not being fit enough, hence making silly mistakes were the main reason. He also stated that the first half was much better football than the 1st grade game he did last week.
My stars on the day was Thabiso for his solid runs which made ground every time, Ward for his consistent line out work, W Robinson his usual lead by example, McKenna and Pfingst in the backs.
Players Player Thabiso
- Osin McKenna
- Josh Sloan
- Lane Clarke
The Women’s game saw a 10-a-side game with the Pirates girls very slick and much too fast for the locals but Kiah Newell chased well, and on several occasions ran down and stopped certain tries.
Players Player Kiah Newell
- Kiah Newell
- Amie Middlemiss
- Katie Sweeney
This coming Sunday 14th the Barraba Juniors Carnival will be held, one of the biggest in the north from under 8’s to under 16’s. Something to see.
Next Saturday games.
Gunnedah v Barraba / Narrabri v Quirindi / Pirates v Inverell / Walcha v Moree / Scone bye