Buccaneers book grand final

Kris Thomsen against Kyogle’s defence.

AN excited Yamba Buccaneers camp has taken a step closer to returning to the Far North Coast First Grade rugby competition with a clinical 17-0 triumph against Kyogle on Saturday.

The minor premiers hosted the second-placed Cockies in the Village competition’s major semi-final at the Yamba Rugby Oval.

And the win – booking a grand final spot – will ensure competition officials continue their push to have Yamba return to top flight rugby.

Both teams have had an impressive season with the Buccaneers undefeated and the Cockies having only suffered two tight losses to the Yamba men.

It was perfect conditions for the major semi, and the Buccaneers had not only a healthy crowd of supporters to impress, but the local sponsors were also on hand to enjoy sponsors day.

The game started at a frantic pace with both sides desperate to dominate territory and possession, and it was 15 minutes before the first scrum of the day.

The Buccaneers relish their set pieces and it wasn’t long before the Cockie pack realised it was going to be a hard day at the office.

The competitions equal leading tryscorer, Grant Rookes, opened up the scoring after supporting a good attacking move down the left hand side. The try was converted by the competition’s leading point scorer, Kris Thomsen, and the Bucs lead 7-0.

The remainder of the first half was a continuation of the arm wrestle with both sides throwing well structured attack at fierce and determined defence and neither side was giving an inch.

At half time Bucs spoke about being patient and structured and thought the last few weeks of hard training would be an advantage at the back end of the game.

Yamba had the early territorial advantage, and after being camped in canteen corner gained a penalty 10 metres out from the try line. Rookes elected to take a quick tap and with the support of his other forwards drove over out wide for his second try of the day. Thomsen calmly potted the conversion and Yamba had the start to the second half they were after and went up 14-0.

But the determined Cockies would not give up and it wasn’t until the last 10 minutes of the half that Yamba took an unbeatable 17-0 lead after a Thomsen penalty following some dissent from a Kyogle player.

This was to be the final score of the game and Buccaneers had earned the first spot in the grand final with a hard-earned 17-0 victory.

It was great team effort with every player in the squad digging in.

Standouts were the Yamba tight five of Dan Kelly, Rob Bell, Anthony Edwards, Pat Day and Dave Fleming, flanker Grant Rookes, Thomsen and full back Tristan Allard, and the best player on the field was captain Luke Turner whose try-saving defence and leadership was a highlight.

The Buccaneers have now earned a well-deserved week off, but know the job is not done yet and they still have one more game to win in two weeks.

The club will be organising a supporters bus to the grand final and interested supporters can get on the list at the Pacific Hotel or by contacting club president Peter Campbell on 6646 1146 during business hours.