The Croppa Creek community and Robb College have strengthened their connection, following a highly successful trial match between the two rugby sides on Saturday.
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The Croppa Creek Crows hosted Robb College for the trial, drawing a crowd of about 180 people for the district's first taste of rugby this season.
"I don't think it could have gone any better," Croppa Creek Crows Rugby Club president Iain MacLennan said.
"It was a really good day.
"It was a better turn-out than we thought and everyone really enjoyed it. We've received lots of positive comments on how good it was.
"We also made a bit of money for the club which is good to hear."
Robb - who have been training together consistently, unlike the barbarian Crows side which was made up of players from Moree, Narrabri, Inverell, Bingara/Barraba, Goondiwindi, Walgett and Moonie - proved to be the better side on the day, scoring two tries to the Crows' one.
Although the result didn't go the Crows' way, MacLennan said it was a "bloody good game".
He said it Robb can keep up their numbers and their fitness, they should give the upcoming New England rugby union competition a "good go".
"They've got some quality footballers in there that will probably put them in good stead," he said.
"Although I'm worried about the size of some of them, especially up against teams like the Magpies."
The Crows and Robb have enjoyed a good relationship over the years, and this year the college side is being sponsored by the Croppa Creek Cooperative to encourage students to come out to the district to work during harvest.
The trial match was used as a sponsors' day to bolster that relationship, which MacLennan, himself a former Robb boy, said was a success.
"Lots of Robb boys have got harvest jobs out of it," he said.
"We want to keep those connections going."
The Crows are now hoping to get another game against North Star, and possibly Warialda, pending COVID-19 restrictions.
