In preparation for the forthcoming Lower Mid North Coast Rugby Union season, the Old Bar Clams will play host to three sides on Saturday for a day of exhibition style matches.
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The Clams will be joined by Forster-Tuncurry, Gloucester and Wallamba for women’s rugby sevens matches.
The Dolphins’ men’s side will also make the travel to Richard Crook Rugby Field, Old Bar to take on the Clams in expected 15-a-side games.
Manning River Ratz will be unable to send teams.
There was some doubt that the Dolphins would have the required numbers to field a women’s side but they have indicated they will have at least seven players.
The women’s games will be played in two seven minute halves, with all sides set to meet each other once.
The men will play two abridged games to allow the women to have a break.
The first game kicks off at 12.30pm and the action expected to continue until about 4pm.
Clams women’s sevens coach Brian Groughan said his side has been training well since coming together in August last year.
“I’m confident in their ability,” Brian said.
“We’ve had a few changes over that time but we’ve kept the core of the original team.”
The side currently boasts 13 registered players.
“We’re looking for a few more to come on,” Brian said.
“For a lot of them, this has been their first taste of contact footy.”
The Clams have competed in gala days at Taree, Nabiac and the recent Crescent Head Sevens.
They recruited Matt Lansdowne from Gloucester to act as an assistant coach.
“He's really helped them with their fitness,” Brian said.
“Everything’s really falling into place.”
The rise of women’s rugby participation on the Lower North Coast has been evident over the last 12 months.
Like Gloucester’s constant and long distance travel to play in 2017, Brian is confident other sides will continue to be committed to the game.
“I hope it really takes off down here and keeps growing,” he said.
“All the sides will help with the growth.”