Armidale Blues have stamped their authority on the New England Rugby competition, downing premiers St Albert’s College in their round four encounter.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Our forwards were outstanding in being able to provide us consistent ball...
- Luke Stephen
Albies hadn’t lost a game all season leading into the match and, fresh off a competition-wide bye weekend, the Blues forwards dominated their university counterparts.
Blues’ quick John Roberts capitalised and crossed the stripe three times and brought up 750 club points in the 36-19 win.
“We were able to get early pressure on Albies which meant that the game was played on our terms and we weren't trying to play catch-up footy which was against the trend in the earlier grades during the day,” co-coach Luke Stephen said.
“Navi scored early in the piece. From there, our forwards were outstanding in being able to provide us consistent ball without turning over possession early.”
Stephen said his side had been working on building pressure at the breakdown.
“It is always hard to win a game when you don't have the ball for extended periods,” he said.
“And the forwards, Mark [Charter] and I as coaches couldn't speak higher of them laying that platform on Saturday.
“John [Roberts] was able to score three tries and bring up his 750 for the club but a lot of that had to do with the guys inside him which, as a coach and as a team, is what you should be aiming to do – 14 guys working for the 15th to score it.”
While they managed to topple the premiers, the Blues aren’t getting too far ahead of themselves.
“We are pretty happy with the win but realise it is very early in the season and you can only take a week at a time,” Stephen said.
In the other first grade game, Robb College were too good for the Barbarians.
The university side downed the Baa Baas 48-29.