For nearly three years local rugby league fans have waited to see rivals Armidale and Guyra go head-to-head but they’ll have the chance to witness the two clubs clash this Friday night.
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In 2016 Armidale opted to spend the season in Group 4 while Guyra played in Group 19 and then the Spuds sat out 2017.
The last time they met was in July 2015 with the Spuds snagging a 44-24 win.
Although this year the two clubs will play in separate divisions in Group 19, they will meet in a pre-season ‘Potato-Pie’ trial match in Guyra on Friday. For the Rams, it is their third pre-season game and, after a dismal 2017 season where they went without a win and leaked 1210 points, new coach Steve Ware has already seen a vast improvement.
“Still working on combinations but the season looks up for us,” Ware said.
“The blokes that have been there for the last few years are the main focus.”
Last Saturday the Rams took on Bendemeer and went down 28-24.
Ware said he is focusing on the side’s defence for this season.
“Probably a bit more in defence, that is what we are going to be concentrating a bit more,” he said.
“We had a bit of a lapse and let a few tries in last week and that was just from doing too much defensive work.
“If the boys can get a bit more mentally tougher around defending each set for six, we will be pretty much good for the season.
“Attack doesn't really worry me too much. We were tackling well last weekend for four tackles but then they would make yards on us, go down the other end of the field and score a try.
“If we can be mentally tougher around that area we will be right.”
Ware is hoping to add an element of professionalism into the Rams this year to build the club up.
“I'm getting the respect out of the boys and they are liking the training I have brought to the club,” he said.
“I have to get the bad habits out of the boys which is hard because they are so used to being really laid back and training at whatever time they want. It has been a while since they have had something like that here.”
For Guyra, it is a return to the rugby league field and secretary Mick Shiner said there is a buzz around town with the club re-starting.
Players have made their way to training and are building towards a positive season in the second division competition.
“We had a really good session on Tuesday – we had probably 18 blokes and about the same in girls,” Shiner said.
“I am not saying we will set the world on fire but we will be a normal, tough Guyra team.
“We are very much trying to fall into that second division competition and for us this year it is about creating a really good experience for players so we can develop a bit of a culture going forward.”
Shiner and the new Super Spuds committee are hoping a crowd can make their way to town on Friday night to support the sport.
“There's good interest in the town, I think there will be a good crowd,” he said.
“The trial is important for us to make it real for people.
The first game of the night at the Guyra Sporting Complex will be league tag at 6.30pm followed by the men’s at 7.30pm.