The Walcha Rams kept their minor premiership hopes alive after surviving a late comeback from the Armidale Blues.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Despite conceding the first points via an Eddie Pitt penalty goal, the Rams, who were missing a host of players through injury, hit the front through converted tries to Banjo Makeham and Pat Keen.
Pitt added more points to his tally with a converted try of his own before the Rams' Henry King crossed to give his side a 21-10 edge at half-time.
The second-half saw the visitors stretch their lead further through Sam Colwell before the Blues hit back via speedster Jackson Dunn.
Henry Leslie crossed for the Rams but the Blues weren't done.
READ ALSO:
Pitt brought up his double for the day 10 minutes from full-time and forward Ian Ranger brought them within striking distance.
But the Rams held on to claim a 33-29 win.
Walcha co-coach Hyde Thomson said "it was a really good game" but bemoaned the lapses which saw them "invite" the Blues back into the game.
"Happy with the way we played, just the ability of us to close out a game when we are out in front like that, we should respect that lead more," he said.
"A couple of silly errors, a quick drop 22 that went out on the full that invited them back down to attack our line, they put the pressure back on, I don't think they scored then.
"We got the ball back and tried a silly little chip over the top which was intercepted, they scored from that and it was a four-point ball game.
"They have a great goal kicker, he doesn't miss too many."
Thomson also believes points went begging.
"We had three penalties in-a-row, easily kick-able which we turned down," he said.
"Coming into finals we don't want to do that sort of stuff.
"Points are a premium and we have got to take those points, particularly when they were a gimme like these ones were."
The final round of the New England Rugby Union season gets underway this Saturday with Walcha butting heads with Robb.
Thomson doesn't know what to expect from the students but has a clear view on what he wants from his side.
"I am just looking for our guys to maintain their structure and respect the points we have got," he said.
"Not to give away cheap possession and build resilience for the finals, looking forward to the finals.
"We are going to have to win and win well because Magpies would like to get the full five points."