A second-half raid by the Armidale Blues saw them land their second win on-the-trot when they took on the Barbarians at Alcatraz on Saturday.
Holding a 12-5 advantage at half-time, the Blues opened up their attack to surge home in the second session.
The Blues piled on 29 points in the second session to finish as 41-18 winners.
Blues’ co-coach Luke Stephen called for his side to match the Barbarians’ physically, as well as remain composed under pressure, and Saturday’s game saw them step up.
“We were able to use our structure to put people in the right positions to make plays and they did,” he said.
“Baa Baas, to their credit, finished really well and scored some late tries to really give us something to work on in the big game with Albies after the Country Championships.”
Their defence was one area in particular Stephen was impressed with.
“Jackson Dunn holding up Keith Ellis - when he would be giving away 50 kilograms to him - on the stroke of half-time set the scene for that game,” he said.
Ellen Dunger
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
