Pirates crowned knockout kings

The 12 side competition came down to a re-match of last year’s final with the Buccaneers taking on hosts, the Armidale Blues.

The hosts had to beat Strathfield visitors St Pats in the semi final while Pirates accounted for Robb 26-nil in the other final to hit the big one with a head full of steam. The Blues wasted no time in slowing the Pirates down, the scores locked at 12 a piece well into the second half, with neither side letting up the pressure built, and a send-off to the Pirates could have spelt disaster.

However, a knock-on deep in the Blues half gave Pirates the ball back and they scored to go up 19-12 in the final 10 minutes.

Up on the scoreboard the Pirates closed shop and held onto the ball for a third straight knockout win.

NERU vice president Jason Wall said that apart from the Pirates beating the Blues again it was a good weekend.

“They look pretty sharp for Central North this year,” Wall said.

New England got one back in the Plate final with the Barbarians knocking off the Tamworth Magpies in a high scoring final 44-28.

In the bowl, Inverell smashed Albies 31-nil after the Highlanders got their campaign off to a horror start on Saturday.

In their first ever appearance at the knockout Parkes impressed, but not with their skill on the field.

The Parkes Pickled Porkers lived up to their name on both days of the knockout.

“They certainly won the spirit of the carnival award,” Wall said.

“They spent most of the weekend in togas.”

The Blues are now going to sit down and figure out how to breath some extra life into the tournament, as they prepare for a big first round of the season.

President Luke Stephens is keen to see the event back up to 16 teams with even more visiting sides.

The Blues will take on Robb College in a replay of last year’s NERU grand final when the season kicks off in a fortnight