BOTH Glen Innes and the Pirates returned home winless on Saturday after this round’s matches held at Gwydir Oval.
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In the third-grade the River Rats took on the Tamworth Pirates and from the kick off the Rats took the ball deep in their own half.
About 10 phases later they pressured the Pirates’ line, but Andrew Riley was held up by the opposition defence.
The next scrum saw the Rats push over for a try to Tim Montgomery only five minutes into the game, and Pirates had not seen any real ball.
When the Pirates found their groove they showed why they are completion front-runners, with a try just seven minutes later to take the score to 5-5.
Both teams settled in to battle it out. The Rats began to show signs of fatigue and as a result, penalties came to the Pirates. They took the lead going into half-time and went into the sheds 8-5.
In the second stanza, Jayden Fields crossed the line to put the Rats in front 10-8. The Rats then took an opportunity to take points from a penalty, and it was 13-8.
Another try by Jay Fletcher saw the Rats home 18-8, and it was a huge team effort to keep the Pirates scoreless in the second-half.
Numerous line breaks by Andrew Riley at full-back, saw him take out the three points this week, Benny Moore got two and Steve Garret one point. Jay Fletcher received player’s player.
The main game saw the River Rats take on Glen Innes. They have been the team to beat from day one, and with only one loss this year Glen Innes have earned their tag as the competition favorites.
Prior to the game, it was discussed how the boys needed physicality, discipline and patience if they were to be a chance in this game, and from the kick off the River Rats were under pressure.
Glen Innes showed why it is the competition leader. Constant pressure was built during the first 15 minutes with little ball for the Rats, until Glen finally capitalised with a try.
However, just three minutes later, Chris Thomas crash over for a try, which was converted by Andrew Webber and took the score to 7-5.
Only two minutes later, Jess Rogers crossed the line out wide and Webber converted to push the score to 14-5. It was well and truly game on.
The score was 17-5 at half-time after the River Rats scored from a penalty goal with 15 minutes left to run.
The second half saw both teams show superb discipline and patience with many attack phases. When Webber broke through following a neat pass from his centre partner Alex Abra it took the score to 24-7, and it was clear the Rats were on top of the physical battle.
Jesse Rogers crossed for his second of the day, again converted by Webber, and the score was out to 31-7. This was the bonus point try against competition front-runners who were almost at full strength.
Glenn crossed for a consolation try just six minutes from full-time but the Rats matched that when Abra scored a try right on full-time. The final score was 38-12.
Webber snagged seven conversions from seven attempts, one penalty goal from one attempt and one try, bringing his tally for the day to 22 points.
As a result he received the player’s player award and three points. Two points went to both breakaways Mick Wade and Cam Fletcher, who were in everything, and one point went to Chris Thomas who created numerous turnovers and also showed his attacking skills with numerous runs and a top try.
The Rats now sit just one more bonus point win from the top four, and with a great for-and-against.
Finals are again a possibility for two teams.
This week they take on Baa Baas at Alcatraz. The Baas are hitting their straps at the moment also, and are third on the table in both second and third grade.
With no first grade game, we kick off at 1.40pm for third grade and 3pm for second.