COONABARABRAN High School's University Shield season aims up at the Binnaway Bombcrater this morning.
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The Mick McEntyre-coached Coonabarabran side tackles Byron Bay in a round five clash at Binnaway as the main grounds in Coonabarabran are out of action due to the wet weather.
"It's just typical of what our season has been like so far," McEntyre said of the ground switch.
"We've only had the one game against Narrabri, the rest have been forfeits."
Coona, beaten in a Uni Shield semi-final 32-28 by Westfields last year, goes into the match minus three forward stars.
Steven Johnston is out for the season with a shoulder injury requiring a reconstruction, Andrew Sulter is away on rugby union representative duties and Wes Suckley is playing in the Australian Under 15 Rugby League Championships with NSW.
"Wes was man of the match against NSW Combined Catholic Colleges yesterday," McEntyre added.
"But we are under-strength and underdone and don't know much about Byron Bay except they have beaten Ballina, Kingscliff and Woodenbong to reach this game."
McEntyre is looking to Peter Watton, Mitch McPherson, Luke Cox and Miguel and Matt Mash to lead the way today.
All five played against Westfields last year and have been in great recent form.
Peter Watton scored three tries and kicked six goals for Coonabarabran in its Group 4 first grade win over Gunnedah. McPherson also scored a try in that game.
Matt Mash, who will pack down in the second row with his older brother Miguel, has also been selected in the Northern NSW under 16 side to play Southern NSW next weekend.
COONABARABRAN v
BYRON BAY
Binnaway Oval
Kickoff 11am today
Referee - Harold Sutton
COONABARABRAN: 1 James Higgins, 2 Andy McMichael, 3 Mitchell McPherson, 4 Dustin Crawley, 5 Max Wallis, 6 Peter Watton, 7 Aaron Stanton, 8 Don Dundas, 9 Trent Keeler, 10 Marty Gordon, 11 Matt Mash, 12 Miguel Mash, 13 Luke Cox, 14 Brenton Antaw, 15 Sam Sullivan, 16 Jesse Timmer, 17 Reiner Niehenker, 19 Alex Muller, 20 Jason White, 21 Jack Ramage, 22 Kent Head. Coach Mick McEntyre, manager - Joe Ramage, trainers - Mick Cox, Will Robinson.
BYRON BAY: 1 Lloyd Stone, 2 Jayden King, 3 Chad Grant, 4 Tyrone Kelly, 5 Corey Hoskings, 6 Michael Chapman, 7 Sam Barnes, 8 Kyle Pearson, 9 Eli Colbey, 10 Sam Meagher, 11 Jacob Tate, 12 Josh King, 13 Billy Marshall, 14 Toby Warnes, 15 Justin Monroe, 16 Ryan Chidgey, 17 Toby Schott. Coach - Cameron Johnson, manager - David Christie, trainer - Michael Cooney.