THEY’VE been a bit of a bogy side for them but Barraba Rams will go into Sunday’s Tier 2 minor semi-final confident they can can turn the tables on Inverell.
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The Highlanders took the honours last time they met 26-19.
One thing in the Rams’ favour on Sunday is they are at home, after Gunnedah successfully pushed to have the major semi-final played on Saturday.
Inverell has been where their problems have been.
That last encounter was a scrappy sort of a game, Rams coach Nick Bomford recalled, but pretty even, with the Highlanders scoring the decisive try with only about five minutes to go.
“Not giving too much away but we’ll be prepared for them this week,” Bomford said.
Also giving him hope is the fact that, after a bit of mid-season stumble, they seemed to have rediscovered their earlier season form.
“They played well against Walcha and played exceptionally well against Quirindi last week,” he said.
Even against the Highlanders they created opportunities – they just couldn’t finish them off and then ran out of legs in the last 20.
“The boys are in good shape to play good football this weekend,” Bomford said.
The key for them will be defence.
“If we defend well we’ve got enough in the tank for the attack,” he said.
Particularly around the ruck and in the halves channel, they need to be on song.
“They’ve got some pretty nippy backs, a lot like Walcha,” he said.
But if their defence is good, Bomford is confident they can win the game.
He hinted at possibly a few surprises in the backs and is excited about the return of Blake Etheridge, Will Robinson and Isaac Orr.
They are three big ins for them and will really stiffen up the pack.
