The two most consistent New England Rugby (NERU) teams will battle it out for the William Sawyers Shield on Saturday, when the Walcha Rams take on Armidale Blues at UNE’s Bellevue Rugby Ground.
Having played three times this season, Walcha holds a 2–1 advantage, but remarkably, only one point separates them on the overall scoreboard.
Two weeks ago, Walcha looked to be far too strong for the Blues, scooting out to a 28–6 lead before the Blues came within a whisker of the comeback for the ages, scoring three late tries to go down 28–27 on the bell. The Blues will look to repeat last week’s far more clinical win over Robb, where they avenged last year’s Grand Final defeat.
The Rams, coached by wily and experienced campaigner Barry Hoy, know the way to the trophy room and will be eager to open their New England account.
Leading around the park will be the Edward triple threat – Edward (the first) Churchill, Edward (the second) Cordingley, and Edward (the third) Pitt – showing the Rams have the skills and the smarts to trouble any side and will look to play a high-tempo game.
The Blues, on the other hand, have the evergreen John Roberts and lightning-quick Fletcher Strong linking with Ratu Sailosi Nawerecaqa, who was the Blues’ best last week, behind a tough and uncompromising pack led by Henry Coldham. The Blues’ only injury concern will be hooker Angus Smith, who looks to be nursing a shoulder complaint.
Meanwhile, the Women’s 10’s fixture has red-hot favourites Tamworth looking to continue their all-conquering form over Albies.
Tamworth was far too strong in the major semi, bulldozing Glen Innes, and while Albies did the same last week to book their ticket, they will find the Tamworth team a tough prospect.
Hosting threats across the park, expect to see Elli Hannaford and Tegan Barnaby lead the magpies around, with support from Candyce Duckett. Albies will look to Sally Nielsen and Emma Wilkinson to lead from the front, ably supported by Addy Haddrill.
Looking at second grade, we will see a new premier when the Tamworth Magpies come up against a very strong Dorrigo outfit.
Tamworth ended Walcha’s march to back-to-back premierships two weeks ago, but will face a disciplined and well-structured Dorrigo side that looked very good in repeating the dose against Walcha last week.
An epic battle looms in the forwards with two big packs, but the difference might be found with Dorrigo’s livewire halfback Eucla Veamatahau Davies up against Liam Allan’s kicking game and Tamworth’s unpredictability out wide.
And finally, in third grade, Tenterfield’s Jeremy Phipps and Jed McCowen will look to avenge their narrow defeat to Albies and send Chrisso Thompson and Laim Keady out on a win.
NERU organisers say to get there early to watch this one – it’s sure to be a cracker.
Match Times
10.40 am 3rd grade – St Alberts College v Tenterfield
12.10 pm 2nd grade – Tamworth v Dorrigo
1.45 pm Women’s 10’s – Tamworth v St Alberts College
3.00 pm Welcome to Country and national anthem
3.05 pm 1st Grade – Walcha v Armidale Blues
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