Armidale Blues women's sevens co-coach Andrew Patfield believes Saturday's clashes against the Glen Innes Elkettes gave his side a few important lessons in rugby.
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The Blues and Glen shared the spoils in two entertaining encounters but Patfield believes his side gained more from it than just points for a win.
"They had a few pilfers we probably could have avoided with a bit more rugby union knowledge but that will come," he said.
"That is something that we will be hammering into them at training this week.
"I think they got a better understanding of the physicality required with union rather than that rugby league style-they are all playing."
In the opening match, Glen showed their dominance and rugby union experience early with unconverted tries to Amelia Tunamena and Sarah Byrne in the opening half.
In the second stanza, the Blues hit their mark.
They put the ball through the hands to find their speedster, Tas Martin, who raced away with a hat-trick, two of which were converted.
The Elkettes' Hannah Crisp ran away for a five-pointer but it went unconverted and the points for goals proved costly for Glen with the Blues taking the first win 19-15.
Patfield said the win was "amazing" but was cautious of getting carried away.
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"That was just down to sheer brilliance from some players."
Elkettes' skipper Sarah Byrne said they let that game slip through their fingers.
"There's been a good feeling in the team all week," she said.
"We knew that the Blues would put up a fight and I think we just went to sleep a bit in the first game; a couple of penalties we gave away and not marking up, led to them getting a couple of easy ones."
The second match saw the Elkettes dominate defensively.
Tries to Byrne, Lenikki Craigie and Lauren Clarke, again all unconverted, saw them claim a 15-nil victory.
Byrne was happy with how her side regrouped following the first up loss.
"We talked about it and knew what we had to do and we got the job done in the second game, we had a great second game and everyone did their jobs," she said.
"Yeah, still happy with how we are going and there's only room for improvement to come over the the next few weeks as we continue to gel."
The Blues' mentor said although they didn't get points on the board, his team were "very, very positive" after.
"Glen's defence was what won them the game, not necessarily their attack," Patfield said.
"I think we will get them next time.
"The only thing that let us down was we were a bit soft in the ruck but attack-wise, we matched them.
"Congrats to Glen, they were the better team but just watch your backs.
"We are coming."
Both sides will turn their attention to round five with the Blues facing St Albert's College and the Elkettes facing top-of-the-table Tamworth Pirates in Walcha.
The Elkettes and the Pirates are familiar with how the other plays with a large portion of the Glen squad facing them in the Central North competition as part of the Inverell Highlanders team.
Byrne is aware of the big task in front of them.
"I think the Pirates will be well-drilled and good at the breakdown so we will just have to use our strengths we have," she said.
Glen Innes club points: 3 - Emilie Hodge, 2 - Bella Reardon, 1 - Lauren Clarke. Players' player - Hannah Crisp.