AFTER stinging them last week, Robb College is bracing for a St Albert’s barrage when the college rivals go at it again tomorrow.
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In something of a unique scenario, the two have been drawn to play one another in back to back games.
That will mean Robb’s win last weekend is even fresher in Albies’ memories.
“They were very disappointed. We know they’ll come out harder and hungrier,” Robb co-coach Sam Ditchfield said.
Robb took the points 18-11 to end their Parents’ Weekend drought – it’s been at least four years since they last won – and give them their second win over their student counterparts this season after also beating them in the Armidale Knockout.
It was tight then too and neither side is anticipating things to be any different tomorrow.
The big test will be getting up mentally.
It will be a totally different story tomorrow to last week.
There’s not the hype of being Parents’ Weekend, and second grade and third grade aren’t playing.
“It’s a one-off game,” Ditchfield said.
“There’s no lead-up. It’s the complete opposite.”
“That to me is going to be the real test.”
They know they’ve got the game to beat Albies and the plan will be to carry on what they did on Saturday.
That being said, they can still play a lot better.
“I don’t think we’ve played our best footy, to what we are capable of,” Ditchfield said.
Albies coach Tom Newsome said it would be interesting playing Robb two games in a row.
“It’ll be pretty fresh,” he said.
What Robb did to beat them and what they need to do differently.
The main point will be minimising their errors.
“If we can simply cut the mistakes and penalties out of the game that’ll make a huge difference for us,” Newsome said.
They made “way too many” mistakes last week.
He said they should be a bit stronger this week too with outside centre Ed Richards back.
He’s been playing well.
Albies could potentially assume the competition lead, with Armidale having the bye.
Likewise, Robb could jump to second with only four points separating them and Albies.
In the other game, Barbarians will venture up the highway to tackle Guyra.
Table: Armidale 15, Albies 12, Robb 8, Barbarians 4, Guyra 0.