THE return rugby union encounter the code wants and needs will take place at Tuncurry tomorrow, a bush rugby affair which is guaranteed not to present the bitter disappointment of the Test between Australia and Scotland.
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Forster-Tuncurry Dolphins have won the last four Lower Mid North Coast premierships, but their grasp on the prize has been loosened this season by the unbeaten Wallamba Bulls club, of Nabiac, winners of nine successive games, each occasion garlanded with a bonus point for scoring four or more tries.
Five weekends ago, the Bulls added the Dolphins’ scalp to their belt, running in four tries in the first half of a physical onslaught at Nabiac, restricting the Dolphins to a three-try second half response before winning, 29-21.
It was the Dolphins’ first and last loss of the season, a torrid affair then and will again be tomorrow.
Wallamba’s publicity officer has talked of “the Year of the Bulls” until the cows come home, but being a decade old does not assure the club of any trophy or guarantee it any title.
Behind a strong committee, a resolute coach in Lee Sullivan, captained by prop Aaron Gordon, a tough individual in charge of a vigorous pack, and inspired by flanker Daniel Hessing, however, the Bulls have attracted players and shown what is possible to develop in a small, vital country town.
The Dolphins have been rebuilt since the resurrection of the game in the Great Lakes and Manning Valley in 2003, initially by their presidential war-horse, Bruce Greensill, and his volunteers, expanded by Steve Bromhead and further improved by president Damian Daczko and his committee.
Captained by a splendid flanker in Tom Homer, led into the scrums by a fine hooker in Scott Walmsley and with an outstanding five-eighth in Matt Nuku to organise back line raids, the Dolphins are not the sort of club to be overawed by any team.
The Dolphins’ Jack Woods is the equal of any lineout jumper in the competition and the confrontation of the midfielders, Mark Hagarty and James Handford, promises to be one of the spectacles of the season.
Ratz target third
MANNING Ratz can go along way to securing third place on the Lower North Coast Rugby Union ladder by downing the unpredictable Myall Coast Mud Crabs in Tea Gardens tomorrow.
The Ratz enjoy a five point buffer over the Mud Crabs.
“If we can get a win and a bonus point we’ll be 10 points clear and that’s a good position going into the third round,’’ Ratz coach Jake Maurirere said.
The Ratz will return to full strength after being down to 16 players for last weekend’s 55-3 win over Old Bar.
Chris Fitzsimmons has recovered from a knee injury and will partner Josh Ross in the halves. Izaak Solomon slots back to fullback after being unavailable last week.