The contrast between Calrossy year 11 student Harry Snook's first-grade debut for Tamworth and his second match was stark.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Against Barbarians at Rugby Park on May 18, the winger scored four tries and kicked seven goals - his 37 points, in the 42-17 win, a club record.
As such, the anticipation was high for another Snook show in a top-of-the-table clash against Robb College at Rugby Park on Saturday - the teen's second appearance for the club.
His name was literally on people's lips.
But in a back-and-forth, absorbing contest won 34-30 by Robb, Snook hardly touched the ball on the left flank.
However, his couple of touches were classy, while he made a try-saving tackle in the first half.
READ ALSO:
Then in the 35th minute, he ventured to the right flank, looking for action, and found it: throwing somewhat of a no-look pass to No.14 Isaac Woodbury that came close to sparking a raid.
Post-match, Magpies coach Peter Burke said this about Snook's dearth of touches: "Sometimes it flows one way, and the next week it will flow the other way ... he's a good little footballer."
It was the first time this season Tamworth have suffered back-to-back losses. In their last outing, the Blues beat them 25-15 in Armidale.
Robb College reversed a 24-21 loss to Tamworth in round six.
The visitors secured victory when fullback Charlie Harris raced over from close range in the 73rd minute and centre Jack Mann converted: 31-30 to Robb.
Mann then slotted a penalty goal in the 78th minute to establish the full-time score.
Before Harris crossed, Tamworth had established a 27-19 lead by the 60th minute, after second-half tries to prop Harry Mills and Woodbury.
Mills barging try came in the 42nd minute. He also scored a close-range try after the first-half siren had sounded, when Tamworth were awarded a penalty, won a short lineout close to Robb's tryline and then scored after several rucks.
Robb, the defending premiers, led 19-15 at halftime.
Burke said "ultimately Robb were the better team".
"You know, they've got to be congratulated for that," he said. "Of course, they were very well drilled.
"We have a few areas which we can improve on, I think. I don't think we were at our best in the first half, and the scoreline perhaps flattered us a little bit at halftime."
However, he praised his charges for "standing up" in second half and defending for long periods.
"I don't like the result but I'm not unhappy with the way we played," he said.