It was great to play another small club who play bush rugby just for the love of the game.
Barraba has only one grade this year and Quirindi took 22 dedicated players to oppose them. John Ashley was out for the week, so George Murray moved into the second row with Angus Clift and the versatile Chris O’Shea came in as flanker. Jake Murray was allowed a weeks holiday, so all the backs moved in one place and Will Scholes took over as fullback and Sam Brabrook on the wing. A strong bench boasted Ed Nankivell and Angus McKenzie to name a few.
Quirindi got straight to work but found that despite being on the bottom of the table, the Barraba boys certainly did not lack any spirit. A backline move finished with Tom Fuller scoring in the seventh minute. Barraba then scored to keep them in the game until James Clift scored a try in the 20th minute. The forward pack were playing well and their set pieces were strong. No mean feat when up against Barraba stalwarts, the Freeman brothers!
Dan Calavassy took a head knock and left the field, but this did not weaken our backs at all, as Jack Craig came on as five eight to be part of a very slick backline.
Then in the 45th minute came one of those golden rugby moments! Sam Kelly, the only front rower yet to score a try this year broke through. Onlookers report that he crashed over from 5 metres out, relatively untouched, but I prefer Sam’s version of events, which went like this: “If my recollection serves me well, the 45th minute saw a dashing number 3, from 25 metres out, receive a bullet pass from Jack Craig to fend off not 2, but three Barraba Rams to score next to the uprights!” The man is a prop forward so I’ll take his word for it, even if he did leave out the bit about the sidestep. Jack Craig scored himself, as did our UK Covid refugee, James Banks.
Tom Fuller scored another try to wrap it up, and James Clift kicked well for the conversions. The full time score 40-5.
It is so pleasing to see many young players coming through who started their careers with Quirindi Junior Rugby. Coach, Tom Koertz, was impressed with both backs and forwards, noting that the improved defence in the second half, off which we generated points.
The forward momentum allowed Brodie Nankivell, at Inside Centre, get over the advantage line every time he carried the ball. Jack Craig showed great maturity and grit to combine with James Wheaton as playmakers and display a solid kicking game.
The 3 points and Players/player went to Chris O’Shea, 2 points to the ever consistent No. 8, Tom Grant and 1 point to George Murray.Next week we travel to Inverell, who perform well on their home turf. It is very important for both grades to train this week and commit to playing on Saturday.