Will Clark nabs four tries in Nelson Bay’s 69-7 rugby win over Newcastle Griffins

FOR sheer versatility, Nelson Bay Gropers backline trump card Will Clark ranks with the best in Hunter Suburban Rugby.

The spring heeled Clark has proved a valuable acquisition for the Gropers this season with classy performances at fullback, centre and five-eighth to help guide the Port Stephens-based club into the top three on the Presidents Cup table.

Last Saturday in damp conditions at Bill Strong Oval, he donned the number 10 jumper and engineered Nelson Bay’s 69-7 drubbing of the Newcastle Griffins.

The elusive Clark used his blistering speed to nab four of the Gropers’ 11 tries and created several others with slick service to his outside backs.

Forming a crack combination with halfback Kade Redmond, the duo destroyed the plucky Griffins with industrious flanker Lewis Affleck leading the way in the Gropers’ engine-room.

Last week’s deluge forced the men’s and women’s fixtures to be relocated from Newcastle’s Dangar Park and Townson Oval to Nelson Bay with the Gropers men running amok on home turf.

Nelson Bay bolstered their ranks with the return of fullback Sam Mitchell, centre Cody Ross, lock Jarrod Zuvela and tough forward Mitch Workman from overseas, and proved too sharp and strong for the physical Griffins.

The powerful and mobile Groper forwards relished the wet and blustery conditions and laid the platform for halves Redmond and Clark to create scoring opportunities.

Clark latched on to a clever Redmond pass and flicked the ball back inside to Mitchell who dashed over for the Gropers’ opening try under the posts.

Centre Dan Arnfield proved a handy stand-in goalkicker, booting five of his eight conversion attempts.

The Griffins capitalised on a spate of possession with fullback Sakaraia Koroi crossing out wide and centre Toby McDonald landing the sideline conversion to level the scores at 7-all.

It was all one way traffic from that point with the Nelson Bay side flexing their forward muscle and pace in the back division.

Fly half Clark shrugged off two defenders to score out wide and followed it up with another trademark burst to score through the middle of the ruck for a 19-7 lead.

Led by Players’ Player award recipient Lewis Affleck, the Gropers forward pack revelled in the conditions with locks Workman and captain Adam Edwards proving tireless in defence and backrowers Freeman Kerapa and Sam Rocher grabbing the spoils with several long range bursts.

Rocher was rewarded for his efforts with a bullocking try before a blockbusting run from centre Ross set up winger Jake Langsford for the first of his two tries and a 31-7 lead at the interval.

Coach Zion Takarua injected fresh legs into the second half with Mitch Affleck and flanker Ronan O’Connell, and with hooker Ollie Edwards throwing superb lineout balls in the windy conditions, the Gropers maintained pressure on the attack.

The front row of Nathan McLeay, hooker Edwards and Riley Byfield worked tirelessly in the set pieces with Byfield rewarded with a try after peeling off the back of a maul to score under the posts with a trademark bulldozing run.

O’Connell was rewarded when he backed up number 8 Freeman Kerapa to score his first try for 2025.

Replacement locks Zuvela, John Lundie and props Harry Porter, Liam Keating and Hayden Wilson increased the tempo of the match with strong runs to march the Gropers downfield, enabling Clark to notch another brace of tries.

Ryan Marshall took over the kicking duties before Mitch Affleck – playing in his non-preferred position of centre – grabbed the Gropers’ final five pointer.

The final score didn’t reflect the gutsy efforts of the Griffins in a match played with great spirit in less than ideal conditions.

Women’s Division

Nelson Bay women’s rugby team was gallant in a 17-7 loss to Merewether Carlton Greens.

Kicking off with a southerly sweeping the ground, the Gropers put up a spirited performance against their strong opponents.

Centre Ellie Dark and halfback Peta Salta scored early tries to give the Greens a 10-0 lead before Nelson Bay hit back with a classy try by talented flanker Sierra Nowlan, which was converted by fly half Chloe Zdebski.

A yellow card saw Merewether Carlton down a player and the second half developed into an arm wrestle.

The Greens prevailed with centre Dark notching a second try and centre partner Ruby Forrest adding the extras to secure the competition points.

The Gropers were best served by lock Jessica Love, flankers Jessica Beam and Sierra Nowlan and number eight Kiara Shelton.

All roads lead to the Hunter Valley this Saturday when Nelson Bay and premiership pacesetters Scone Brumbies meet in a top of the table men’s clash at Scone Rugby Club field at 3pm with the preceding women’s fixture at 1.50pm.

By Chris KARAS