Central North: Tamworth Pirates too big, too strong and too fast for Walcha Rams

The game was called off about 11 minutes early after Pirates inside centre Brendan Rixon was knocked out. He required an ambulance, coach Mat Kelly said, but was released from hospital on Saturday night.

It was all academic by then though with Pirates producing their best 70 minutes of football of the season.

“It was our most polished performance,” Kelly said.

"The boys really lifted a gear. They took it to another level and were really committed to everything they did."

They simply didn't give the Rams a look in.

"The scrum completely dominated and our mauls were fantastic," Kelly said.

Their work in the lineouts, particularly the Rams lineout, was also superb.

"Conrad (Starr) would have pinched three or four of their throws," he said.

The backline continued on from where they left off against Moree in the last game, and the defence again was rock solid. Testament to that was that the Rams only avenue to points was penalty kicks.

Starr bagged a hat-trick and Damian Reti a double and were among their best, although it was hard picking the points.

Rams coach Barry Hoy summed things up pretty simply.

"Too big, too strong and too fast," he said.

They were on a high after the week before and did have their moments, but they were brief and far between.

"We didn't make them work," Hoy said.

"Defence was the main thing. We didn't get up and force the issue. 

“They are a bigger pack than what we are. We probably got caught going too high with our tackles, and they were brushing them off and getting offloads."

And once they got on a roll they couldn't stop them.

But as disappointed as the Rams were, they took away some valuable lessons moving towards the finals, they know what they need to do.

Hoy couldn't question their effort and thought Joe Makeham, stepping up at breakaway, Will Fletcher and Ed Churchill, were their best.