There’s one round of the New England Rugby competition to go but St Albert’s College have already secured the minor premiership.
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The current premiers finished the season with only one loss and have a bye for the final round of the competition.
In true Armidale winter conditions, they played their last game against the Blues and a late try secured them a three-point win.
“The Blues played well,” Albies co-coach Chris Kelly said.
“They had a bit to play for because they were playing for a spot in the finals.
“I think they stepped up … they played quite well in the conditions, so full credit to them.”
The game was tight the whole way through and the Blues led at half-time.
Kelly said his side backed their defence, which dug in to grind out the win.
“We were down at half-time and then we were under significant pressure for a patch of that second half,” he said.
“But our defence was quite good.
“We always knew if we could get the ball in the right position we could score tries.
“But it was a matter of getting out of our end and dealing with the mud to get out of it. Our defence was called upon to work hard and they did.
“Both teams handled the conditions in a manner that far exceeded my expectations. So both teams should be happy with it.”
In matches this weekend, Barbarians play Armidale Blues at Alcatraz Rugby Park and Robb College confront Glen Innes-Guyra at Bellevue Rugby Ground.