Whilst the region’s cricketers begin to rouse after a typically wet winter, one sport in town isn’t quite ready to hang up the boots for the next six months just yet.
Not one, but two Tamworth rugby union clubs will be shooting for grand final berths this weekend in the New England and Central Northern comps respectively. The Tamworth Magpies will fly “The Nest” to head up the hill to contest major and minor semis in Armidale, while Tamworth Pirates will set sail for Moree with all three grades in tow for the preliminaries.
With six out of a possible seven individual teams from the town’s code heading off this weekend, it’s a testament to a culture of hard work, trust, and loyalty that typifies country footy.
Pirates 1st grade co-coach Jack Walsh has seen it grow over the years, now overseeing the top grade alongside his father, fourteen years since he himself coached a young Jack playing first grade in 2009:
“That was the team that won for the first time in close to 25 years, so coming back it’s been pretty special.”
He glances at a group of twenty or so players who’ve turned up early to start running laps:
“Yeah, culture’s a big part. And, you know, a lot of the guys, especially in first grade, have played juniors together all the way through, and now they get the opportunity to play in the first grade.”
Walsh says it breeds a unique brand of camaraderie that allows the players to hit the pitch and trust each other to get it done.
There’s extra incentive for the Pirates to bring home this weekend’s fixtures, with opposition opponents and hosts Moree having hijacked the big dance last year in the Pirates own backyard:
“That’s footy though, isn’t it. We’ve played them again recently and pipped them at the post, but that’s old history now. We’ve got our work to do.”
Barely a couple of miles across town, a footy hangs high in the winter sky momentarily, before it plummets down and thuds into the barrel-chest of Jono Dunlop, Magpies resident no.10.
“Bit of a step up coming from no.12 for Jono. He’s fitter than he looks” concedes Jacob Shaw, captain of thirds and second grade team mate.
Dunlop takes a contact and the two opposition lines unfurl in concert. It’s an all in dress rehearsal for the much bigger stage they’ll find themselves on come Saturday at Bellevue Oval.
“Obviously 1sts just didn’t have a great season, but there’s a few guys out there that’ll be key for our teams on the weekend.”
Shaw says Captain and leader Jake Urquhart will be pivotal for the second grade team, running on at no.8 and chewing up meters through the middle of the park.
“The uni boys are a bit leaner, they like to swing it pretty quickly and then try to burn you, but we’ve got a bit of physicality about us. That’s definitely going to be something we try and leverage through the middle.”
The boys aren’t the only ones lacing the boots up however; Tegan Barnaby, standing captain of the women’s 10s says it’s the result of a great playing group:
“We just love playing together, and this is a great club to play at.”
The women will have a shot at history this Saturday as they run on to their first ever Major Semi, but Tegan isn’t fazed or distracted:
“I think we’ve got a pretty good idea of what they (Glen Innes) bring to the table come finals. We just need to play our game.”
Barnaby said the likes of Toby Lee Clarke and Eliza Bennett would be looking to be very aggressive and vocal up the front.
“We have girls that have been playing since it was just sevens, so they’ve got the speed too.”
“It’s footy; obviously it can get chaotic but we just trust in ourselves to do the job and turn up on the day.”
NERU
Major Semi Final – Saturday 24th August Bellevue Oval UNE Armidale
3pm 1st grade – Robb College V Armidale Blues
1.45 pm Women’s 10’s – Tamworth V Glen Innes
12.10pm 2nd grade – Armidale Blues V Walcha
10.40am 3rd grade – Tamworth V Armidale Blues
Minor Semi Finals – Sunday 25th August Bellevue Oval UNE Armidale
3pm 1st grade – Walcha V St Albert’s College
1.45 pm Women’s 10’s St Alberts College V Robb College
12.10pm 2nd grade – St Albert’s College V Tamworth
10.40am 3rd grade – Robb College V St Alberts College
CENTRAL NORTH
Preliminarly Finals – Saturday 24th August Moree Rugby Club
3pm 1st Grade – Moree Bulls v Tamworth Pirates
1pm Reserve Grade – Quirindi Lions v Tamworth Pirates
11.45am Womens – Tamworth Pirates v tbc