Second placed Robb College widened their lead on the chasing pack with a hard fought 17-11 win over Robb College, but didn’t gain any ground of their own on the competition leading Armidale Blues who beat Guyra 24-14 at Glen Innes.
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Robb came into the match on the back of a four-match losing streak after a strong start to the season, but they were able to put poor form behind them to notch a win in thrilling circumstances at Bellevue Oval.
Robb opened the scoring through prop Will Chaffey and David James converted to extend the lead to 7-nil.
James added a penalty, but Albies booted two of their own before half time to give Robb a slender 10-6 lead at the break.
Albies hit the front with 15 minutes to go with a long range try against the run of play to lead 11-10.
Robb stole victory from Albies’ grasp with only minutes remaining through a try to Tom Kent after a nine phase build up.
Robb coach Sam Ditchfield was full of praise for his entire team.
“We gave everyone (best and fairest) points,” he said.
Ditchfield said number eight Will Archer was instrumental in the win as were Cedrick Fadel and Kent.
“We haven’t played good footy in a while so it was pleasing to play well,” he said.
“It was a good win in a tight sort of a game. “I think we probably dominated possession and field position for a fair bit of the game.
“Our back row was exceptional.”
Robb will have to regroup quickly as they face Guyra this weekend, again at Bellevue.
“Guyra are going to be tough again, we can’t take them lightly,” Ditchfield said.
“It’s the fifth time we’ve played them this year so we know what to expect.”
In the other match of the round, a Mike Te Moana hat-trick was the catalyst for a tight win for the Blues against Guyra.
The win gives the Blues a 23-point buffer atop the first grade ladder.