WALCHA warmed up for the hard road ahead with a hard-fought 12-point win over Scone at Scone on Saturday.
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It was far from the lopsided affair of their earlier meeting, two early tries proving the difference as the Rams prevailed 19-7.
Their Barraba namesakes also had a win, downing Quirindi 62-nil at Quirindi.
Barraba Rams laid the foundation in the first half, kicking away to a 45-nil lead.
They really caused the Lions problems out wide, with wingers Luke Smith and Brad Ibrahim both crossing for doubles.
Five-eighth Simon Newton, inside centre Pete Young and number eight Will Fletcher scored for Walcha in what was a bit of a slog, co-coach Barry Hoy said .
“It was actually a good win. They had to handle a bit of pressure,” he said.
“It was a pretty good game for them leading into the semi-finals.”
They were in front for most of the game but never really comfortable.
“We always knew Scone would be harder at home,” Hoy said.
“They had a reunion of an old grand final day.
“They were pretty vocal.”
It was like being at Barraba back in the days of the tent in the corner.
The scrum was where Walcha really turned the screws.
“We got about five or six tight heads and they were going backwards, which made it hard for them to attack,” he said.
So, too, did their defence.
“Defensive-wise, we were pretty good,” Hoy said. “That’s what won it for us,” he said.
Ed Cordingley was strong in defence and earned the three points.
Newton got the two, with the whole forward pack sharing the one.
Brumbies coach Ben Nicholson said it was a good way to finish off what has been a tough season.
“It was good for us. It was probably the first time all year we’ve had the same side for two weeks,” he said. “It’s just a pity it’s taken all year.”
Saturday showed what they are capable of.
It also gave them a lot more synergy as a team.
Their start was what cost them.
“We did our typical thing and it took us 15 minutes to switch on,” Nicholson said.
“They scored two tries in the first 10 minutes.”
It was one try apiece after that.
Saturday was a big defensive turnaround after the Rams put 70-odd on them last time.
Nicholson said probably 10 blokes on the field could have got points but did make mention of Doug McKillop, Dale Robinson, Daniel Burt, Jeff Golledge and Ben Clarke.