They’re known for their razzle dazzle and Walcha showed plenty on their way to The Imperial Hotel 7s spoils on Saturday.
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Regulars at the Armidale Rugby Club’s annual knockout in its previous incarnation as a 15-a-side tournament but missing last years inaugural 7s, the Rams clinched what they hope will be their first silverware for the season with a 24-12 win over Inverell in the Cup final.
“They are made for that (7s),” Rams co-coach Barry Hoy remarked after the final.
The Highlanders were first to score, Scott Houston taking advantage of space out on the right and chipping across to an unmarked Dylan Lewis.
Playing his final game in the red and white, Ed Churchill ducked out of an attempted tackle to get the Rams on the board. The Highlanders though had the final say of the half, good pressure at the breakdown forcing a turnover, which they eventually scored off to lead 12-5 at the break.
But the potent mix of speed and elusiveness that makes the Rams backs so dangerous in the 15-man game, came for the fore in the second half. Dom Bower gassed the Highlanders defence outwide to cut the difference back to two before Richard Young sliced through from inside the Rams half to put them in front, after the Highlanders had very nearly scored themselves.
Pat Keen then took the ball to the line, stepped back inside and pushed through the Highlanders defence to ice the win.
And while 7s is a different game to the traditional game, on Saturday’s indications the Rams are looking in good shape as they attempt to go one better this season.
“Numbers have been pretty good, we’ll be much the same as last year,” Hoy said.
They have lost Churchill and Tom Hoy, both of whom are headed off overseas, but have been relatively unscathed aside from them.
A kick away from winning the premiership, [Barry] Hoy said there isn’t anything specifically they have been working on, or need to change about their game.
It’s been more about ensuring mentally they are ready for the rigours of the season.
“It’s probably more so getting their minds back on, and making it happen, not just thinking it’s going to happen,” he said.
“That will be the key.”
Notoriously slow starters – until last season – they will have to be switched on from the start with Narrabri first-up followed by the Highlanders and then reigning champions Pirates.
The Highlanders had a good day as a club with their women’s side also making the final but going down to the University of Southern Queensland.
Barbarians won the Plate final while the hosts beat last years champions Narwan in the Shield final, Jackson Dunn scoring in the final seconds to put the Blues back in front after the Eels had scored two quick tries - the first from an intercept - to claim the lead.
