Barraba wins the minor semis
Rugby Report
The Barraba Rams travelled to Moree on Saturday to meet Narrabri Blue Boars in the minor semi-final and came home with a solid win in a tense, hard fought game. They now have to wait a week to see who they meet in the final.
The Rams started with pressure on the Boars which resulted in a Ram penalty in an easy position, but the attempt was flagged away, an early opportunity missed early in the game. A good strong run by Jack Mallise put the pressure back on Narrabri and from good work by the forwards and ball to the backs in attack getting close to the line for Connor Rogers to gather slice through the defence and Clarke’s conversion opened the score for the rams to lead 7-0. Narrabri lifted and put plenty of pressure on the Rams defence on the try line but solid and determined defence held them out and a relieving penalty defused the situation for a good clear kick. The Rams were having trouble in the lineouts as N. Sweeney was on the bench after an injury last week so the throws were being picked off by the Narrabri jumpers.
A team change saw N. Sweeney replace Jamal for the lineout throws for some improvement for this part of the game. With 10 minutes of the first half to go the Boars mounted plenty of pressure on the Ram defence and held them out and a free kick allowed McKenna to clear from the line. A high tackle on a Barraba player saw the Boars player shown a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin-bin and from the ensuring play the Rams backs attacked but were unable to breach the defence and at half time Barraba led 12-0 with two tries and two conversions.
Barraba started the second half with a deep kick off into Narrabri corner and from the ensuring play the forwards saw N. Sweeney score and Clarke convert for a 17-0 lead. This stirred up the Boars who were still dominating the lineouts, to spend some time in the Rams quarter but a penalty relieved the threat for the moment, but they were not going to be denied and finally they opened their score with a try in the corner which was not converted. 17-5 to the Rams. Play went down the field for a while with both teams looking dangerous, until Barraba received a penalty and Clarke converted for a 20-5 scoreboard.
Narrabri then put all their effort into scoring but solid defence held them out. At least six or seven penalties for rushing off the line in defence could have received a couple of yellow cards. The Rams held on and got a penalty to relieve pressure to get down the other end of the field and get a penalty, McKenna Failed, final score 20-5.
Barraba will have to wait the result of the Pirates/Moree game, as they will play the final against the winner on the 9th September for a place in the Grand Final on the 16th September.
The boys may be thinking of a training run next Saturday to tidy up a few problems they had during the game, especially the lineouts and the number of penalties they gave away.
First Grade saw Moree dominate the Narrabri side to the tune of 34-12, and the ladies result saw Pirates run over Scone in similar fashion 31-12.
The major semis to be played at Pirates will be;
Ladies – Narrabri V Moree
Reserve – Pirates v Moree
1sts – Pirates v Gunnedah
In the World Cup warmup;
Springboks 37/All Blacks 5
Fiji 30/England 5
France 41/Australia 17