Barbarians have secured the mental advantage heading into Saturday’s minor semi-final against Robb College.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Baa Baas belted the same opponent 37-18 last weekend in the final round of the New England Rugby Union competition.
It was a dominating performance from a Baa Baas team who has now won seven of its last eight matches and they were able to do it without three regular first graders.
“It was a good win, really good actually,” Baa Baas co-coach Brett Monley said.
“To win games at this stage in the season you need to have a really strong squad of 25 and we have that.”
Baa Baas drew first blood with fullback Keith Ellis making a great run down the left flank before passing inside to centre Mitch Cooper.
“That kicked things off really well for us,” Monley said.
“It got us on the front foot.”
That momentum continued for much of the first half with Baa Baas leading 20-3 at one stage and 27-11 by the time the half-time hooter sounded.
The second half was dominated by defence with Baa Baas only managing a converted try and a penalty and Robb registering a converted try on the bell.
“Our first half was great,” Monley said.
“But we didn’t finish them off in the second half.
“We need to finish off teams if we are going to win the premiership.
“It was a little disappointing but it gives us something to work on this week.”
Monley said an article in last Friday’s Express gave his men some extra motivation for the Robb encounter.
“I saw in the paper last week [Robb coach] Sam Ditchfield said we only have two key players,” he said.
“I think we showed on Saturday that’s not the case.
“The boys were pretty fired up about that.”
The two sides will meet again at Alcatraz Rugby Park on Saturday in the minor semi-final.
“Securing the home semi gives us a big advantage,” Monley said.
“But everything is do or die for us now.
“Every game is a grand final for us.
“It’s time for us to dig deep.”