They won their major semi-final against Wallamba, 49-17. The prediction of president, Paddy Bowen, that Wauchope could claim the premiership double next Saturday week has the hallmarks of acceptable truth.

The women's major semi-final was controlled by referee Kitiara Porter, the first by a woman in the Mid North Coast Zone's history.

The men's minor semi-final between the Wallamba Bulls and the Barbarian Hogs promised to be a willing affair, and so it proved, Wallamba defeating the well organised Barbarian XV combination from Port Macquarie

Such was camaraderie and kinship between the Barbarians and Wallamba players that there was discussion after their game of extending the Port Macquarie combination and playing again in the Lower M.N.C. competition next year. They would certainly be most welcome.

Coach Mark Howard has engendered a splendid spirit within his group. Working on his training policy of one hour a week a session has proved highly popular, especially for veterans such as props, Dave Tunstead and Jeremy Segol, and hooker Dave Nichols.

The trio acquitted themselves handsomely against their younger Bulls rivals in the semi-final, the 10-point margin in the 20-10 result no indication of the closeness of the game.

On the subject of elderly players keeping their boots polished a not tossing them in the bin, there is still no better tackler in the competition than Wallamba's captain, Daniel Hessing. With flanker Tom Homer, No 8 forward Ash Rushby and centre James Handford, they were the picks of the Bulls team.

For the preliminary final die-hards, next Saturday's double-header in Wauchope is a fascinating affair. The journey home is not necessarily a joy-ride.