Barbarians build for title tilt
The Barbarians enter the New England Rugby Union finals series with momentum behind them after finishing the regular season with a victory against Armidale Blues.
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The 2017 Baa Baas’ team is vastly different to the one which finished as runners up to St Albert’s College in last year’s decider and it took them some time to find their feet early in the season before hitting their straps.
Their recent run includes toppling the premiers, the only side this year to do so, beating their minor semi-final opponents, the GhostStags, in Glen Innes and a gutsy but tight loss to Robb College.
“We didn’t know who was going to be playing A grade and we had to sort [it] out, those first five games we were working out who we were and what we do,” coach Gary Wallace said.
The 32-23 win against Armidale Blues rounds out a good end to the season for the Barbarians.
“The boys stuck to the game plan overall, as a package.
“Our forwards led the way around that ruck area.
“Rhys Graham played outstanding.
“Johnboy [Quinlan] in the centres was making good hits.”
Next Sunday’s opposition, Glen Innes-Guyra, suffered a 51-nil loss to Robb College across town but Wallace said he expects the side to bounce back in the semi-final against the Baa Baas.
“That scoreline doesn’t reflect on how they play against us whatsoever,” he said.
“It is always going to be a close game and it is always going to be forward-orientated.
“They are a gutsy team so they will come back from that real strong and we just have to expect it.”
Demon Knights aim for finals spot
Demon Knights hit back from a mid-week defeat to Norths United to roll South Armidale in round 15 of the McDonald’s Northern Inland Premier League.
DK suffered a 2-1 loss to the Redmen on Thursday after losing two players through red cards.
Coach Evan Quaife said his side were gallant in defeat and believes it only made them more hungry to overcome the Scorpions on Saturday.
“We played exceedingly well against Norths even though we didn’t get the win,” he said.
“We ended with nine men so we were just hungry today and I thought we would respond from a disappointing result against Norths.”
DK made four changes from the team who took on the Redmen to one who beat South Armidale 5-1.
“Luckily with us the squads all train and reserves are unbeaten in their last nine and they trounced Norths mid-week so whoever comes into the team, we all do the same training and know the drills and the style we want to play,” Quaife said.
“Declan Humpheys came up from reserves, he got two goals and Kirk Burton, his first game back for four or five weeks, got a goal and Sam Constance up front got two.
“We deserved to win and I am happy.”
Quaife’s team sit just outside a finals place and are aiming to make the most out of every game, starting with premiers Oxley Vale Attunga next Saturday.
“I am feeling good about OVA, we play them up here,” he said.
“We have to get up the table so every game is important and we will be out there to play our style and hopefully get the points.”
Robb rout Glen-Guyra
From the opening whistle, Robb College were too classy for Glen Innes Guyra as they romped to a 51-nil victory.
More to come