RUGBY warrior Nathan McLeay will celebrate a special milestone this weekend when he chalks up his 100th appearance for the Nelson Bay Rugby Club.
The teak-tough front rower is set to join a select band of players on the Hunter Suburban Rugby century honour roll in the Gropers’ big clash with rivals Cooks Hill Brown Snakes at Bill Strong Oval.
“Nuggett” McLeay produced another industrious display in Nelson Bay’s emphatic 46-17 Anzac Day triumph over Muswellbrook Heelers in Presidents Cup A Grade action at Highbrook Park.
In a physical and entertaining contest, the Gropers proved too strong with stand out performances from rookie centre Harry Anderson, half back Tom Akbal and flanker Jarrod Zuvela.
With regular skipper Sam Rocher unavailable, young prop Jacob Affleck led the Gropers for the first time and capped a big game with bumping runs through the middle and solid defence,
Affleck, Zuvela and lock Taraq Hall showed the way in the forwards along with fellow flankers Ronan O’Connell and number eight Mitch Workman enabling on ball specialists McLeay, John Lundie and Jake Affleck to win contested ball and lay the platform for backline raids.
Talented halves Kade Redmond and Will Clark created havoc along with crack centre Anderson, who capped a superb match with two of the Gropers’ seven tries.
Birthday boy and elusive winger Hayden Wilson, number nine Akbal, fullback Will McLean, winger Ryan Marshall and prop Affleck also crossed for tries as Nelson Bay posted their first victory in the 2026 premiership.
Clark put in the play of the day with a raking right foot kick into the breeze for a 40/20 touch finder that gave the Gropers top field position before hooker Luke Sweeney and a leaping Hall secured possession to create a try for the quicksilver Wilson.
Nelson Bay led 26-5 at the interval with Akbal replacing an injured Redmond and grabbing the opportunity with a slick display in his top grade debut.
Replacement hooker Liam Keating impressed with his copybook defence; centre Marcel Ikinofo showed his strength and footwork while Ross Buchan, returning from an off season injury, provided plenty of go forward.
By Chris KARAS
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