OLD Bar has lost North Coast rugby league representative Kurt Lewis to the Port City Breakers.
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Lewis and second rower Tom Dooker will both play for the Breakers this year, as will former Macleay Mustangs lock Richard Roberts.
Both Lewis and Dooker linked with the Pirates in 2014 from the Forster-Tuncurry club. Lewis in particular had an outstanding year, representing North Coast while he was also runner up in the Group Three player of the year. He was the leading try scorer in the first grade with 17.
Lewis and Dooker both re-signed with the Pirates at the end of last year before linking with the Breakers. Lewis played with the Breakers before moving to Forster-Tuncurry.
However, Old Bar initially refused to relase the pair until money the club said was owned to them was paid.
Old Bar president Kevin Heaslip this week confirmed the club has been renumerated and Lewis and Dooker are clear to play for the Breakers.
He admits the club is disappointed to lose the pair but said the Pirates have moved on.
Mr Heaslip added that training numbers have improved in recent weeks.
“We have strong numbers in the under 18s and women’s league tag and our seniors are getting better,’’ he said.
Most of the 2014 roster will remain with the club. Danny Russell will be the first grade captain-coach. He took the Pirates to the preliminary final last year where they were eliminated by eventual premiers Macleay Valley by a point.
The opening round of the Group Three pre-season will be played on Saturday March 14 at the Regional Stadium, Port Macquarie. This will be contested by Port City, Port Macquarie and Wauchope.
On Sunday March 15 at Tuncurry Taree City plays Old Bar while Forster-Tuncurry meets Wingham. This will be in under 18s and first grade.
The following weekend losing teams meet in the cup finals on the Saturday at a venue to be determined while the winners play the following day for the XX Trophies Shield, also at a venue to be determined.
Group Three’s season launch will be at the Wingham Services Club on Friday March 27, where NSW Blues assistant coach Matt Parish will be one of the special guests.
The opening round of the season will be on April 11/12. On the Saturday Forster-Tuncurry tackles Taree City at the Jack Neal Oval while Wingham makes the trip to Wauchope,
Port City meets Port Macquarie on the Sunday, while Old Bar will have the bye.