A CAPTAIN’S knock by back rower Dave Rees highlighted Manning Ratz hard-earned 55-3 win over Old Bar in the Lower North Coast Rugby Union fixture at Taree Rugby Park.
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The Ratz only had one fresh reserve following injuries and unavailability and had to dig deep to beat a committed Clams outfit.
Coach Jake Maurirere paid tribute to Rees, the team skipper.
“Dave was exceptional,’’ Maurirere said.
“He stepped up and with Blake Howard really played well in the forwards to lay the platform. They both made 10 to 15 metres every time they ran and Blake usually got a pass away.’’
The Ratz backs were the beneficiaries of the grafting work by the forwards with Luke Bartlett and Jack Chapman both running in two tries, while Bartlett also kicked five goals in a good day out.
Brodie Howard in the centres also caused Old Bar no end of trouble in an eye catching effort. Maurirere said the Ratz didn’t sustain an further injuries and should be close to full strength for the clash against Myall Coast at Tea Gardens next Saturday.
Wallamba ready
WALLAMBA Bulls warmed up for the top-of-the-table Lower North Coast Rugby Union clash with Forster-Tuncurry next Saturday by trouncing Myall Coast 68-5 at Nabiac.
The Bulls have led the competition since the kick off but took nothing for granted against a much-improved Mud Crabs side.
From the kick off the Mud Crabs showed just what they are capable of in holding out the Bulls attack and bringing the play dangerously close to the Wallamba line. Both teams remained scoreless for the first 15 minutes. Despite the gutsy effort, the Mud Crabs, with only 15 players and no interchange, started to fatigue. The Bulls were quick to capitalise on as they proceeded to cross for four tries and two successful conversions before the Mud Crabs struck back to bring the score to 24–5.
The Bulls were able to dig deep and crossed for two more tries to lead 38–5 at halftime with three tries to Christopher Tout and two to Lee McDonald.
The second half saw the Mud Crabs’ Trent Page continue his impressive performance from the first half with some blistering runs and impressive kicking. He certainly troubled the Bulls throughout the game.
However, Daniel Hessing, Peter Sheddon, Shorty Curnow and Christopher Tout all added tries while Curnow successfully converted each try to bring the final score to 68–5, giving the Bulls another bonus point.