WALCHA 24
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BARRABA 5
WALCHA scored its first home win of the season with 24-5 victory against Barraba at Captain Cook Oval on Saturday.
Walcha coach Warwick Fletcher said the red and whites played with enthusiasm and set the win up in the forwards.
“We were committed,” Fletcher said.
“We secured our own possession and our forwards were on top of Barraba’s all day.”
Jordan Henry (lock) scored two tries and Todd Ireland (wing) and Jock McLaren (half) one each in the bonus point win.
Henry and McLaren were both among Walcha’s better players.
McLaren’s try was scored after a number of phases.
Damien Timbs made a bust down the blind side and before he was bundled into touch got the ball back inside to McLaren.
Ireland’s try came after concerted Walcha pressure.
Veteran Ian Crawford moved back to number eight after Nick Hall pulled out. Another Ram stalwart in Ted Fenwicke filled in at breakaway.
Fenwicke and Crawford both played strongly.
“Ted hadn’t played for about five seasons,” Fletcher said.
“He was good with his chat.
“He got everybody moving in the right direction.
“And Ian went well. He’s starting to get a bit more fitness about him.
“His organisational skills helped us and he controlled the ball at the back of the scrum well.
“He got a smack on the nose against Pirates and he had it aggravated a bit on Saturday – bent it out of shape a bit more.”
Barraba coach Nigel Strahan said it was a courageous performance by his side.
“A number of first graders doubled up after playing reserves,” Strahan said.
“We warmed up with eight players. We had to wait for reserve grade to finish so we could get a game together.”
Luke Urquhart (five-eighth) was one of Strahan’s best.
“He played well under the circumstances,” Strahan said.
“He was under a fair bit of pressure. We didn’t give much good ball.”
Barraba put together some strong passages of play with breakaway Troy Thomson heavily involved in the only try.
“We put together a couple of pick and drives and got in behind them,” Strahan said.
“Breakaway Troy Thomson popped the ball up and Shane Jobson scored.
“Troy played well as always. He always picks up players’ player votes and best and fairest points.”