GLEN Innes and Armidale scored 16 tries between them in Saturday’s Group 19 clash before Glen ran out 56-34 winners and recorded their first victory of the 2015 Group 19 season.
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The Magpies opened the scoring on their home ground in the third minute when centre Craig Browne stormed across near the posts off a pass from half Nick Say. The Rams wasted little time grabbing their own try when Ryan Kelly scored and then converted to take the lead. Winger Anthony Strong crossed a few minutes later and Armidale led 10 - 6.
Glen’s captain - coach Nick Ehsman- showed lovely ball skills to send young winger Perry Stapleton over wide out and five eighth, Ben Vidler, landed a superb conversion for the home side to re-take the lead.
Tries were coming at regular intervals for the Magpies with Jamie Watts, Matt Crowhurst and Daniel Ferris each posting converted efforts before the Rams’ Paul Quinlan beat several defenders for a good try just before the break, at which Glen led 30 - 16.
The second half was similar to the first. Lots of dropped ball and plenty of points, although the Rams posted two converted tries in the final five minutes to give more credibility to the scoreline from their perspective, although the Magpies were probably guilty of having “clocked off” at that point.
“Our highlight was the return of ‘the old fella’ (Daniel Ferris),” said coach Ehsman.
“It’s great to have him back and he was awesome. He adds so much for us at fullback.”
Ehsman also singled out junior Thomas Say for some praise.
“He came out and played really well for us,” Ehsman said.
“He scored a try very soon after coming on, was involved in a couple of others and his tackling was great. Jeff Moate, Jamie Watts and, of course, Toddy Cameron were really good as well.”
Armidale were well served by lock Steve Widders who had a fine game with the ball and in defence while Ryan Kelly also played very well.
The Magpies face a stern assignment next week with the re-vamped draw sending them back to Moree, this time to meet the Boars, for their second trip out west in just their fourth game of the season. The Boars were too strong for Glen in the season opener and the Magpies will have to improve to beat Moree this time around.
The Boars will be smarting as well after they almost pinched a home win against Inverell Hawks on Sunday.
Down 28-22 they scored a late try but the conversion swung wide in what was a top-of-the-table clash.
While the Moree Boars lost at home the Moree Boomerangs had more success at Ashford Sportsground, winning 44-8 against the Roosters.
Warialda Wombats also celebrated a good win when they beat Guyra 76-22 at Warialda Recreation Showground.
The Wombats scored first within the first few sets and never looked back, captain coach Joss Cleal pleased with the performance.
“We piled on a few tries and then sat about 20 clear before pulling away at the end,” Cleal told The Leader Sunday night.
Ian Swan and George Copeland scored three tries each in a game where every Warialda back crossed the line.
Front rower Tyrone Davis got the skipper’s nod, as did fellow prop Ben Kennedy for their work up front and defence.
Davis finished the match with a try under the sticks which he then converted himself.
“We have got plenty of points in us,” Cleal said.
“We just need to stiffen our defence up a bit and complete our sets.”
