The drought has broken!
The Yamba Buccaneers are finally in the winner’s circle after posting a courageous 18-15 win over Evans River Killer Whales in the Far North Coast President’s Cup rugby competition in Evans Head on Saturday. It was the Bucc’s first win of the season and, after they were unable to field a team last year due to COVID-19, it was their first win since July 2019. Club boot studder Captain Bucc said it was a huge win for the club. “The rivalry with Evans Head has been huge for the last few years, so it was brilliant to beat them at their home ground,” he said. “It was a hard, close-fought game with a number of lead changes throughout the match, so it was a close-run thing. “But the boys showed tremendous heart and courage and fully deserved the win.”
While a positive result there was one downside, with Josh Morris taken to hospital after dislocating his shoulder. Captain Bucc said that put a dampener on celebrations. “It was hugely disappointing for Josh as he’s been one of our best all years, and the way it happened was pretty hard to take,” he said. “Club President Adrian Miller remonstrated with the tackler after the incident, but Miller couldn’t fight his way out of a wet paper bag, so the Evans bloke wasn’t too worried. “In the end, we hurt them where it really matters – on the scoreboard – so that was payback enough.”
Captain Bucc said the game showed what everyone has been saying all season, that when the team could put a full 70 minutes together, they would be dangerous. “The forwards were excellent and held their own in scrums and lineouts, and with that quality possession the backs were able to do some damage,” he said. “That result will show everyone in the competition that the Buccs are not to be taken lightly.” Captain Bucc said while brothers Terry and Robbie Hill and James Hawley were officially the best players on the day, the whole team was excellent. “Special mention has to go to club debutant Steve Ackers,” Bucc said.
“He’s in his 50’s but he played nearly the whole game in the front row and was brilliant. But in reality, there wasn’t a bad player and every guy who pulled on the shirt on Saturday deserves credit for the win.” This Saturday the team plays Rangers XV away in Mallanganee. Bucc said the game would be a tough test. “Rangers are one of the standout teams in the competition so they will be tough,” he said. “They’ve also got three ex-Buccaneers and are coming off a loss to Byron Bay last Saturday, so they’ll be keen to put on a good show against us.”