Barraba dropped a tough one at home, Robb College ran riot, and there were tries all over the park in the final round of the New England Rugby Union regular season, with the results locking in next weekend’s semi-finals field.
In first grade, the Barraba Rams went down 34-24 to Albies, despite two tries from C. Starr and one from C. Rogers, with J. Petrus and C. Townsend among the points-scorers. Albies crossed through B. Powick, S. Taylor, S. Mcgrath (2) and B. Sleeman, with J. Cameron converting twice.
Robb College put on a scoring clinic against Baa Baa’s, running out 85-19 winners. F. Ashton, A. Dowling, H. Williams and P. Mahony all scored twice for Robb College, with H. Kable converting nine. Baa Baa’s replied through a hat-trick to J. Smith.
In second grade, Tamworth Magpies beat Glen Innes 24-12, with O. Qamasea scoring twice, while Armidale Blues cruised past Dorrigo Rangers 27-7 behind a hat-trick from B. Waldron.
Third grade saw Baa Baa’s account for Robb College 27-14, and Tenterfield Bumblebees put 42 points on Tamworth Magpies, with M. Wightman crossing four times.
In the women’s 10s, Glen Innes ran riot against Tamworth Magpies, winning 64-0, with M. Chard and M. Giddy each scoring twice and A. Hewett converting seven. Baa Baa’s edged Robb College 29-26, Armidale Blues beat Dorrigo Rangers 34-21 behind a hat-trick to H. Friedman, and Barraba Rams and Albies played out a 17-17 draw.
With the regular season done and dusted, New England Rugby Union has confirmed the finals draw, with all matches to be played at Bellevue Oval, UNE Armidale.
The major semi-finals will be held on Saturday, 29 August. Third grade kicks off at 10.40am with Tenterfield against St Alberts College, followed by second grade at 12.10pm between St Alberts College and Armidale Blues, the women’s 10s at 1.45pm pitting Barraba Rams against Barbarians, and first grade at 3pm between Armidale Blues and St Alberts College.
The minor semi-finals follow on Sunday, 30 August, with the same start times. Third grade opens with Armidale Blues against Barbarians, second grade brings together Walcha and Tamworth, the women’s 10s sees Glen Innes take on Robb College, and first grade closes the weekend with Walcha against Tamworth.
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