Nelson Bay Gropers outclass rugby rivals Cooks Hill

NELSON Bay men’s rugby team has sounded an ominous warning to rivals that they are premiership material in this year’s Hunter Suburban Rugby competition.

The Gropers showed their title credentials with a rousing 32-19 victory over previously unbeaten Cooks Hill last Saturday in a classic tussle at Bill Strong Oval.

Powerhouse lock Mitch Affleck, skilful fly half Khace Petera and rising hooker Olliver Edwards produced outstanding performances as Nelson Bay stunned the Brown Snakes with a dominant second half display.

Down on troops, the Gropers bolstered their ranks with reinforcements Keanu Offen, Hayden Wilson, Freeman Kerapa and Under 18s winger Liam Pietraszek – fielding seventeen local juniors from their 22 player squad.

Cooks Hill dominated early possession and jumped to a 12-0 lead following tries by prop Jed Alexander and number eight Kye Cribb.

Young Nelson Bay prop Eddie Du Vos left the field with a shoulder injury but skipper Sam Rocher rallied his charges with prop Riley Byfield, hooker Edwards, Wilson and brothers Mitch and Lewis Affleck turning in strong games.

Returning from injury, proud Worimi prop Nathan McLeay delighted the home crowd on Indigenous Day with his trademark bullocking runs.

Nelson Bay bounced back when the classy Petera dummied to his outside backs and darted over to score under the posts before Edwards crossed to lock it up at 12-all after the Gropers made inroads with rolling mauls.

The home side upped the tempo after the interval with veteran fullback Will Dunn leading the way.

Dunn’s blockbusting runs enabled halves Petera and Kade Redmond to feed centres Michael Hotene and Will Clark with quality ball, allowing speedy wingers Jake Langford and Cody Ross to make inroads.

A rampaging McLeay crashed over to score and give the Gropers the lead before the dynamic Dunn burst through to nab his team’s fourth try after yet another bumping run.

Coach Zion Takarua introduced flying back Offen and 18-year-old rookie Pietraszek on the wing for his senior debut before number eight Freeman crashed over for the Gropers’ sixth try to cap an impressive second half display.

Nelson Bay women returned to the winners list after skittling Cooks Hill 29-12 in an entertaining clash at Bill Strong Oval.

Wily hooker Jessica Beam, talented flanker Sierra Nowlan and fly half Tash Harris produced top games with fullback Emjay Walters crossing for two of the Gropers’ five tries.

Beam, Harris and centre Tegan Barr also notched five pointers with conversions from Harris and Walters.

Nelson Bay will host the Newcastle Griffins this Saturday at Bill Strong Oval at 3pm with the women lining up against University of Newcastle at 4.30pm.

By Chris KARAS