Barraba Rugby are winners
Rugby Report
What a way to finish the season!
The last home game, prior to the semis, with two good wins and possibly the best both teams have played this season. This definitely was the girls best of the year and kept Moree out of the final.
The girls scored 7 tries during the game in a polished display with good handling and back up support. K. Newell’s pace, when given room, was too hot for the defence and crossed for 3 tries. Big runs by forwards Johnson, Sweeney, Mack and Mallise saw the team going forward and with solid defence by all girls, stopped Moree on many occasions. One of the standout performances was by Zahlie Cabot playing in her first game for the girls after the start to her season with zone and country selection earlier in the year in the juniors.
The girls struggled for members at times during the season but kept trying and finishing with a top effort and look forward to a new season next year.
Points for the game were heard to select owing to the effort of all the girls.
Player’s Player Z. Cabot in her first game, selected by team mates
3 J. Johnson, powerful running the ball and solid defence
2 K. Newell, 3 tries and good defence
- Z. Cabot a try and good all-round display
Well done girls.
The Barraba Rams had qualified for the semis, but a home game win would be a good result going into next week, and the team played with determination and possibly their best game of the season. With good tactical kicking, ball handling and in the backs some crunching defence.
Good clearance from the base of the scrum by Clarke allowed McKenna to dictate play with a good kicking game that kept Moree guessing. The Rams forwards showed their worth with a strong scrum, good lineout work by Ward and strong work by W. Robinson, Thabiso, Jamal, J. Mallise, Sweeney, Gorton and j. Robinson made sure the back had good ball to use.
Barraba opened the score with a penalty to Clark for a 3-0 lead, Moree hit back with a try goal for a 3-7 score line. The Rams were next to score after a good backline move for an 8-7 score before Moree scored before half time 8-12 after a very solid half of Rugby.
The second half saw both teams attack the opponent’s line, but stout defence stopped any points being scored. Barraba went close the scoring after L. Mack made a 40m break to get close to the line, only to get penalised when a team mate was off side. Shortly after a McKenna kick saw the rams chase rewarded when Sloan gathered to add a further five points for a 13-12 lead.
The struggle was on, with both teams getting close to adding points, with defence the key holding out the attacks. A penalty with 15 minutes remaining saw Clark raise the flags for a 16-12 lead which saw the Rams hold to the end of the game. Moree applied pressure with 3 minutes to go, but the ball carrier was held up and the rams got the scrum feed for McKenna to clear and put pressure on Moree in their half. Final score 16-12.
With the final whistle going, a solid win to the rams and an interesting week ahead. Spectators thought the two games were possibly the best both teams had played all year.
Player’s Player W. Robinson, leads by example every game
3 Thaliso, gave Moree Bulls plenty to worry about
2 J. Sloan, good all round game in defence and attack, plus a try.
1 L. Clarke, top service from scrum to feed backline
1 S Gorton and K. Ward, very good lineout work which pinched some of Moree’s ball
This weeks’ games;
Minor semis at Moree on 26th Aug
Girls Pirates v Scone 11.45am
Reserve Narrabri v Barraba 1pm
1sts Moree v Narrabri 3pm
Major semis at Pirates on 2nd September
Girls Pirates v Gunnedah 11.45am
Reserve Pirates v Moree at 1pm
1sts Pirates v Gunnedah 3pm