SO near, but yet so far. Bad luck to the Walcha Rams who were defeated by reigning premiers Pirates 40-39 in a cliffhanger at Chillingworth Oval in Tamworth last Saturday. Walcha hit the front 34-33 with just over 15 minutes to go before the Pirates responded with a converted try and then the Rams countered through a try to fullback Ed Churchill, his third for the day, three minutes from full-time.
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THERE would have been some very nervous Pirate players and supporters as Rams goalkicker Simon Newton lined up a potential match-winning conversion attempt, especially as “Bass” had kicked sensationally all day, landing four conversions and two penalty goals from all angles. Unfortunately, his kick veered to the left-hand side of the posts and it was all over red rover for the Rams.
Congratulations to all the Walcha players who can hold their heads high after fighting back from a 26-6 deficit late in the opening stanza to go within a whisker of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
CONGRATULATIONS to all the Walcha players who can hold their heads high after fighting back from a 26-6 deficit late in the opening stanza to go within a whisker of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Well done to president Andrew Crawford, co-coaches Barry Hoy and Hyde Thomson on their efforts thought the 2017 season along with the countless number of Rams supporters who traveled to Tamworth to cheer on their team. Up the mighty Rams.
Back to the future
FLASHBACK to 1983 – the Walcha Roos were defeated by Narwan 16-12 after leading 12-0 at half-time and 12-10 with 23 seconds remaining in the Group 19 grand final here at the park when the Eels scored one of their trademark speculator tries to break plenty of Walcha hearts.
INTERESTINGLY enough, Rams co-coach Barry Hoy played for the Roos that year, and although he wasn’t called on in the premiership decider, was a valuable club member. The Roos’ pain in 1983 wouldn’t be any different to the Rams’ pain in 2017.
Jillaroos defeated
THE Walcha Jillaroos didn’t perform at their best when they were defeated 32-0 by Kootingal in their Group 4 Second Division Ladies League Tag preliminary final at Kootingal last Saturday. It was a great effort by the girls and their coach Kev Creighton to get that far this season anyway.
Awards nights
BOTH codes – league and union – will be holding their respective presentation nights next week, with the rams rewarding their best players on Friday night, September 15 before the Roos and Jillaroos hand out their prizes the following evening. Good idea to book a ticket if you haven’t already.
Here come the Golden Oldies
THE Port Macquarie Golden Oldies rugby team, “the Wrinkled Horns”, are traveling to Walcha this weekend for their end of season trip and would like to play a game around 2pm on Saturday.
ANYONE interested in having a trot against the coastal boys can contact Baa Baas representative Kevin “Scrooge” Mathews to let him know of your intentions on 0458 771 410.