Two weeks ago the Barbarians defeated reigning premiers the Armidale Blues and on the weekend the Barbarians were defeated by Robb College. 

Robb College coach Sam Ditchfield said it has been anyone’s game early on in the season. 

“I think the fact if anyone can work out how the comp works it will be good” he said.

“It is so early in the season and anyone can beat anyone so I guess you don’t have expectations. Ditchfield said his side took out the Barbarians by working hard the early parts of the match were where the Barbarians had been toppling their opponents.  

“I think we had the better end of the first 20 minutes,” he said.

“We knew the Barbarians had claimed their previous victories on a good start in the first 20 minutes so we worked pretty hard so that at the end of the 20 minutes, we were still competitive.”

The match points see-sawed throughout and it came down to the wire, with Robb scoring right on the siren to secure the victory. 

 “With five minutes to go it was 25-24 before we scored on the bell to win 32-24,” said Ditchfield. 

“Ben Blighton at inside centre kicked the goals for us and that has been a bit a nemesis for us over the last few years, kicking goals.

“It has been a weakness we have had so to have a good goal kicker in the team is a real bonus for us this year.”

With Armidale hosting the Country Championships next weekend, Ditchfield said it was a credit to the area to have such a huge event in our backyard. 

“With New England hosting it this year we want to put a good show,” he said.

“It certainly does put a bigger workload on the players playing in the under 20s and in the opens across your club and it is the same for all clubs.”

Robb College take on the Armidale Blues at Moran Oval this weekend for the Blues’ ladies day. 

 In the other match, St Alberts take on the Barbarians. 

Lower grades commence at 12.30 with the main game at 3pm.