After stringing together their first two wins of the season, a plucky, undermanned Glen Innes Elks team went down against Tamworth on Saturday.
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Their round 19 game on June 16 saw the side clinch a hard-fought 19-17 win over Robb College at home.
The following week the Elks took on Armidale Blues who had given them quite a touch up in their previous meeting in Armidale.
The game was fast and exciting from the outset with Glen Innes leading 26-0 at the break.
Armidale hit back straight after the break closing the gap to nine points midway through the second half.
A tremendous performance from captain and fullback Micheal Miller and centre Dillon Ferris saw the home team come away with the points 43-24.
Against Tamworth, the Elks took just 13 players and went down 66-12.
Injured player Henry Burridge coached the side for the clash and said it was a “massive” effort from the side who took the field.
“The first 10 minutes was a little bit defeated but the middle piece of the first-half you couldn't have asked for more – I think we scored a try and they scored,” he said.
“They [Tamworth] scored one at the end of the half so they weren't in front by much.
“Everyone had a pretty good effort, it was far from the best team we were able to put together for sure.”
Burridge believes if they can ramp up the player numbers, they will be competitive for the remainder of the season.
“We were just getting a few out of the woodwork and just having the sheer numbers, having five or six on the bench,” he said.
“If we can get players there, we are going to be competitive but it is just a bit of a battle of the last couple of years unfortunately.
“It is just trying to make it about the other things I suppose around the game, the camaraderie and the social side of it.”
The Elks play St Albert’s College this Saturday before their next home game is on July 21 where the Blues will be back to seek revenge.
Gates open at 1pm with kick off at 2:15pm.
Let's get down and get behind the Elks and experience their open style of Rugby.