THE Wauchope Thunder wrapped up their first year in the Lower Mid North Coast rugby competition with a hard fought loss to the Manning River Ratz at Andrews Park on Saturday.
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The Thunder and the Ratz were playing for the Taegan Grace Cup, in memory of the wife of Thunder assistant coach and player, John Tavaga.
In honour of Taegan, players wore a special jersey and shorts highlighting the fight against cervical cancer, which claimed her life in June.
Saturday's game was closer than the 55-26 score line would suggest.
The Ratz got off to a flyer, with three converted tries in the first 10 minutes to lead 21-0.
Their strategy was obvious and that was not to take on the Thunder in the forwards.
They spread the ball rapidly to their speedy outside backs who ran circles around their Wauchope counterparts.
However, when the Thunder finally held the ball for any period of time they controlled the play with their dominant forward pack.
Robbie Trembath, playing only his second game for the Thunder this season, was the first to cross the line to give the team some incentive to fight back.
Fullback, Brendan Cunningham, scored soon after and with Aaron Robinson converting both tries the Thunder had 14 points on the board.
But again the Manning River team spread the ball wide and they put on two more unconverted tries to head to the half time break leading 31-14.
The second stanza started the same as the opener for the Ratz with a couple of quick tries threatening to blow the Thunder away.
To their credit, the Thunder dug deep, with Jordon Gleeson scoring out wide and Robbie Trembath scoring his second try under the posts which Aaron Robinson converted.
Importantly the Thunder kept the Ratz scoreless in the last 20 minutes through dogged defence.
The Thunder's big lock, Travis Moore, worked hard all game and he was well supported by fellow locks, Aaron Hamilton and James Stribling, who continually put their bodies on the line.
NSW Country Colts representative front rower, Tom Blanch, was again dominant in the scrums.
Together with Dave Nichols, Brad Cunningham, David Bosco and Peter Daley, the Thunder front rowers were a class above their opposition.
Veteran half back, Dean Hawkins, also played his heart out in what he claims will be his last game of rugby.
Also threatening to join him on the sidelines next year is Aaron Robinson, who made a rushed come back from injury to play the Thunder's last game of 2015.
