The Glen Innes Elks may only be newcomers to the New England Rugby first grade competition, but they received anything but a welcoming mat from the reigning premiers on Saturday.
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Visiting Moran Oval, the Elks were thumped 58-12 by the Armidale Blues on the back of a 39-point rampage in the opening half.
“We had a fair idea where their weaknesses would be and we attacked them in the first half,” Blues coach Tony McMillan said.
“We went out and threw the ball around and scored some really good tries.”
With his side leading by almost 40 points as the half time whistle sang out, McMillan decided to make significant changes in the second half.
“We had a full bench and they all got a run,” he said.
“It gave us a good chance to see how some blokes go and give others a rest.”
A dogged effort by the Elks in the second half, reduced the Blues to just 19 points and McMillan praised the competition newcomers for their courage.
“To Glen’s credit they got up in our faces and slowed us down,” he said.
“They actually led the second half until we scored three late tries.”
The Blues outside backs did most of the damage with young winger Harrison Dickson named man of the match for a stellar two-try effort.
“Our sheer pace out wide got the better of them,” McMillan said. “He [Dickson] is a big strong boy.
“He’s cemented his position there for the time being.”
Skipper Dan Ah See was also strong at his new position of halfback and number eight John Tiko was typically bullocking from the back of the scrum.
“Dan is starting to grasp it pretty well,” McMillan said of his captain’s new position.
“John Tiko had an outstanding game.”
McMillan said he was ecstatic with the way his boys responded after a fortnight off and their first loss of the season at the hands of Robb College last weekend. “We are just looking forward to playing good constant footy week in week out,” he said.
“Building every week is our goal.”
In the other match of the round Robb College toppled Barbarians 42-29.