WAUCHOPE Thunder bagged an historic maiden home victory, but the team rued missed opportunities to make a dent in the all important for and against on Saturday.
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Thunder beat Old Bar Clams 13-7 at Andrews Park, but a chance to build some momentum going into a tough match against Gloucester Cockies next weekend went begging.
Passes got pushed too far as the Thunder players shunned patient rugby and looked for tries at every opportunity in the Lower Mid North Coast zone match.
JJ Hennessy and Aaron Robinson scored tries for Thunder on Saturday. Robinson kicked a penalty. The forwards dominated and the scrum was sensational. Thunder won a few tight-heads against the Clams’ feed.
Coach Marc Minor was a pleased man come Sunday. He said the match defied a contest between the teams at the foot of the table.
“It was a great game,” he said.
“The guys stuck to the job and got it done.” Thunder players are finally seeing some benefits of their hard work, which hasn’t happened much this season.
“The guys have been working really hard but without reward,” Minor said.
A couple of serious injury concerns marred the Thunder’s win.
Malachi Gooding was knocked senseless in a tackle and there were worries for Andrew Mackay who hurt his neck during the match.
“You don’t take precautions with those sorts of things,” Minor said. First aid officer and registered nurse Mark Stewart was kept busy with all his assessments.
There was also the option of further help for him at the ground due to the presence of Lyne MP Dr David Gillespie, who was attending his first Thunder match.
John Tavaga got the best and fairest and players’ player points for Thunder at No.10.
Minor welcomed his return to the Thunder set up, with an older head to guide the team around the park.
Brendan Cunningham had an outstanding game at fullback.
He keeps things organised at the back, and Minor was thrilled with Cunningham’s ball work.
“He made mega metres on the kick returns,” he said.
Thunder’s win left the Clams still without a win in 2015.
Minor’s men are out for two in row next weekend, but the third-placed Cockies are a tough ask on their home turf.
They will have strong numbers and good support down south.
“They’re a well-drilled side,” Minor said.
Then they head to Beechwood Oval for a match against the Myall Coast Mudcrabs the following weekend.
Minor hoped to follow up clams with mudcrabs on the team’s menu.
“We’re looking for the whole seafood buffet,” he said.
The Beechwood Shamrocks will also play a Hastings League game on a big day for the football codes.
Women’s rugby kicked the day off on Saturday, making for a great day out at Andrews Park.
“It was a great spectacle all afternoon,” Minor said. “There was a really good crowd.”
