The Quirindi Rugby Club hosted their second home game of the season with the Barraba Club making the trip down with their First grade team .The match turned the tide from last weeks match against Gunnedah with a very big win of 61 to 10. Unfortunately Barraba were unable to bring a second team however that did’t dampen the enthusiasm for a great day of rugby supported by a great crowd.
From the kick off Barraba showed their intentions by spending the first 8 minutes in Quirindi’s half with the forwards hitting it up close to the ruck and making the Quirindi team defend some determined running . Barraba were rewarded with a try to their second rower when they created an overlap down the left flank.
This stired the Quirindi boys into action as they hadn’t fired up by this point. A good break down the eastern sideline by Brodie Nankivell resulted in aline out close to the Barraba try line where a long ball was caught at the back by Gus McKenzie and resulted in him scoring close to the post where Will Scholes converted.
The game continued with Quirindi moving the ball through the backs and making some great attacking raids with Brodie Nankivell scoriing two tries in 5 minutes . Baraba came back with another try just before halftime to make it 17 to 10.
After half time Quirindi started on the front foot and never looked back with many great runs from Dan Calavassy at flyhallf scoring a double This set the play for the second half with all players confidence lifting .Jake Murray at no 12 had a tough day out with his opposite number trying to belt him but Jake had the last laugh along with James Clift setting up Reilly Beresford for 3 more tries and Brodie 1 more.
Captain Tom Koertz scored next to the post with a darting halfbacks run off the scrum and played a great tactical game using the wind to carry long kicks down into the oppositions half.
Big George Murray crashed over with a barnstorming run after another huge game.
Quirindi all through the game were able to make player interchange with fresh players off the bench. This gave young guns Sam Avard and Harry Gavin their first taste of first grade and they showed great potential with Harry crashing over in the corner .Sam Brabrook ran on with 10 to go and scored in the corner on full time after another excellent driving maul by the forwards.
The Quirindi boys did the hard work up front with the big boys John Ashley ,Tom Grant and Angus Clift dominating in their tackles and getting clean line out ball for the backs to swing out to the backs.The scrum was very solid all day resulting in us winning some tight heads being led by the front row of Jock Livingston ,James Davison, Sam Kelly and James Anderson.
Congratulations to all the players as there was 23 in the squad and everyone had a great game and were happy to share the time on the paddock.
Players Player was Brodie Nankivell. Best and Fairest 3 Dan Calavassy . 2 Tom Grant .1 Brodie Nankivell.
The Club is Hosting Inverell next Saturday the 8th May and is welcoming ALL PAST PLAYERS AND FAMILIES .
Please all come along and cheer the teams on and enjoy a social fun day at the QUIRINDI RUGBY CLUB.