Quirindi headed to Inverell with 2 grades plus reserves. Our ranks have been swelled by covid refugees from Uni and School, and they have made wonderful contributions. We haven’t seen a wet pitch for some time and the muddy conditions caused many handling errors and turnovers but it didn’t deter both clubs from playing the running game.
A full Reserve Grade team took to the field with a few extras on the bench to boot! A big welcome to Hamish Dunbar who previously played with Sydney Uni but has now seen the light.
Quirindi scored early, but as the young team settled and adapted to new combinations, the Inverell side scored twice to lead 5-10.
Quirindi stuck to their game plan and the forwards were able to disrupt the opposition at the breakdown. Two more Quirindi tries and conversions made the score 19-10 to the Lions, a memorable win against one of the leading teams in the Comp.
2 tries and a conversion to Hamish Dunbar and one try to James Banks. Charlie Clift kicked a conversion to round off a good day.
3 points went to Hamish Dunbar, 2 to the consistent Sam Avard and 1 to Ed Nankivell, who is enjoying his rugby. The Players/player was Charlie Clift, congratulations your tenacity and perseverance is paying off.
FIRST GRADE
Chris O’Shea came into flanker. Jake Murray moved to five eight to replace the injured Dan Calavassy and Jack Craig to fullback. Will Scholes took the wing spot. John Ashley returned to partner Angus Clift in the second row again, a very effective partnership.
Early on, the play see-sawed until Inverell worked the ball up to our 25 from where their No.8 broke through the ruck to score untouched. 0-5. Inverell was looking good, running the ball wide and always testing our defence. They scored an easy try but failed again to convert in the windy conditions to lead 0-10.
Now that we had our customary slow start out of the way, Quirindi took the initiative and pressured the Inverell line for ten minutes but couldn’t crack the defence. Most of the attack was pick and drive in the forwards, with a few forays made by the inside backs. We were awarded a penalty in front but took the scrum option, looking for the try. After several phases Jack Craig injected himself into the line and through the gap to score at around the 35 minute mark. No conversion and we trailed 5-10, but we were seeing rewards for controlled play.
Angus Clift went down after a heavy tackle and play was halted for half time. Sensibly, all precautions were taken to ensure his safety, and he travelled home later that evening.
In the second half our forwards secured the majority of the ball. Hamish Dunbar came on to bolster the pack. Ed Arnott replaced James Clift in the centres.
Quirindi took 3 penalty shots and Jacko landed all 3 to put us in the lead 14-10.
A cut out pass from halfback James Wheaton gave Tom Fuller the room to score in the corner, showing what a great finisher he is. Then Jasper Cobcroft came on to replace James Wheaton. After a pick and drive he was also rewarded with a try. 26-10.
Inverell scored after the full time hooter to make the final score a respectable 26-15, but too late to thwart a memorable win by the Lions.
It was a great effort by the whole squad to win both games against an opponent who has won some big upsets on their home turf. The forwards in both grades adapted well to the conditions to set up the wins.
The first grade points were 3 to Tom Grant who was everywhere, 2 to John Ashley and 1 point to Jack Craig, who is relishing his introduction to senior football. The Players/player was shared by Tom Grant and Jack Craig. Next week we have a bye, and the competition is wide open after more surprising results this week.
Our thanks to Inverell for their hospitality and making sure all our boys were well fed before their trip home.