IT is the 13th winter since rugby union was re-activated in the Manning Valley and Great Lakes areas and while the Forster-Tuncurry Dolphins are unbeaten this season and seeking a fourth successive premiership, the trophy cabinet of the Manning River Ratz remains empty and ugly.
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Whenever the two teams meet, it is dog eat dog, but with the play-offs approaching next month, Saturday’s clash at Taree Rugby Park carries a special chainsaw edge to it.
The Dolphins have already won the minor premiership of the Lower Mid North Coast rugby championship with 13 successive wins, but while an unbeaten season is never mentioned, complacency is a curse and young sportsmen remain easy prey.
The Dolphins’ captain, five-eighth Matt Nuku, continues as an inspiration, not merely for the club but the whole competition. Every single player at the Dolphins should take heed of his training methods and application and adopt a similar attitude.
It is a tragedy the MNC selectors so rarely watch Nuku in action. He is a player the Axemen need for next year’s NSW Country Championship.
The Dolphins have already accounted comfortably for the Ratz on the two occasions the teams have met this season. The difference tomorrow is that this is the Ratz’ last home-ground opportunity to beach the Dolphins.
The third-placed Ratz’ No 8 and inspirational captain, Sam Hartnett, cannot recover from his leg injury quickly enough.
Two rounds remain before the semi-finals on August 13. Training laggards beware, it is just five weekends before the grand final on August 27.
Hefty lock David Rees and 18-year-old hooker-cum-backrower Nik Mylonas have enjoyed fine seasons, but they must have far more consistent service in attack and defence between their pack and match-winning winger, Jack Chapman.
The Myall Coast Mud Crabs are scheduled to play the Gloucester Cockies at Gloucester with a semi-final position in the balance, but so negligent have been Myall’s players when it comes to travelling, that nothing would surprise from the club.
Teia Ambrosoli has been a hero for the Old Bar Clams, but only one result is foreseeable against the Wallamba Bulls at Nabiac on Saturday.
Manning Ratz hope inspirational captain Sam Hartnett will be available for Saturday's clash against the table topping Forster-Tuncurry Dolphins at Taree Rugby Park.
The points table is: Forster-Tuncurry 64,Wallamba 51, Manning River 37, Gloucester 18, Myall Coast 18, Old Bar 0.
