NELSON Bay Rugby Club have unearthed an exciting young centre in Harry Anderson.
The local junior produced a stand out performance for the Gropers’ top grade men’s team in a 71-0 victory over Epping Rams in the club’s final trial match last weekend at Bill Strong Oval.
With the sharp running Anderson making an impact out wide, the Nelson Bay side proved too strong for their Sydney Suburban club opponents in an eleven-try romp.
The rookie back was one of several new recruits to show their wares for the Gropers along with lock forward Taraq Hall, hooker Luke Sweeney and veteran lock Shane Jarvis and fullback Kerrod Haywood.
A large home crowd rolled in for the trial with Nelson Bay men’s coach Michael Squires fielding a mix of regular first graders along with a string of newcomers.
The astute Squires again trialled players in several positions with the entire squad clicking on the day with strong performances from centres Anderson and Scott Tristan, lock Hall, prop Jake Affleck and winger Taj Turner.
From the outset the Nelson Bay team showed their superior fitness, ball skills and structure to outclass the bigger Rams squad.
Versatile skipper Sam Rocher, playing at halfback, burst onto fly half Will Clark’s inside ball to scoot away under the posts for the opening try of the match, presenting flanker Ryan Marshall with the first of his seven successful conversions.
Flying winger Turner was everywhere in attack and defence and showed his pace and evasive skills to score in the corner and establish a 12-0 lead.
Returning from a European vacation, fly half Clark looked fresh as he steered the backline around the park and was rewarded with a five pointer after bursting through the Rams defence after a trademark bullocking run.
Tireless flanker Ollie Edwards and lock Hall made huge inroads through the larger Epping forward pack with the mobile Hall rewarded with a try under the posts after splitting the defence.
With number eight Mitch Workman and lock Hall winning plenty of lineout ball, the Gropers backs were allowed plenty of freedom to hone their backline moves.
In his first senior game for the Gropers after an illustrious junior career, rookie centre Anderson relished the slick service from his halves to slip through the defence and link with co-centre Tristan and winger Khai Poulson to cross and establish a 31-0 lead at the break.
Returning veterans Jarvis and Haywood showed they still have the skills with solid first half hit outs before flankers Edwards, Ryan Marshall and Workman rolled up their sleeves and ran the opposition off their feet.
Riley Byfield carried several Rams across the line to post his first try of the season with the elusive Clark linking with fullback Haywood to score in the corner.
The slick Anderson fooled the defence and put in a clever chip kick for the ever reliable Haywood to pounce on the ball for his second try.
Rampaging prop and crowd favourite Nathan “Nuggett” McLeay bulldozed over for a try near the posts and then converted his own try to seal a highly entertaining win.
Haywood and Edwards posted try doubles with wingers Turner and Poulson, half back Rocher, fly half Clark, lock Hall and props Byfield and McLeay nabbing five pointers.
The Hunter Suburban Rugby season kicks off on 11 April with Nelson Bay receiving a first round bye followed by two away fixtures against Muswellbrook Heelers and premiers Scone Brumbies before the club’s first home game of the season in round 4 of the competition.
By Chris KARAS
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