From the Armidale Independent, 05/04/2006

The New England Nomads have done themselves no harm in their build-up to the 2006 TAFL season beginning on April 22, falling just short of claiming the Northern Tablelands Cup on Saturday.

With three wins and one loss, the Nomads finished the day in second place, beaten only on points for and against by the Tamworth Roos who also finished with three wins and one loss.

The Cup kicked off with the Nomads taking on last year’s TAFL runners-up, the Tamworth Swans. Amidst cold and windy conditions, the Swans appeared to start sluggishly, giving the quick-starting Nomads instant midfield dominance that they scarcely relented.

With newly appointed fullback Rich Malone leading the way, the Nomads triumphed in a low scoring affair, 13-4, keeping the Swans’ potent forward line goalless.

After the Roos easily accounted for Inverell, the Nomads were this time up against the more fancied Nambucca Lions. The match was played with ferocity as many of the Nomads’ new recruits showed no fear in and under the ruck contests. Nambucca seemed headed for a close victory before a miracle goal from ‘the ball magnet’, Weston Whitby, clinched the win for the Nomads, 17-16.

By the half-time break in the Cup, the Nomads were the only undefeated team after the Swans accounted for the Roos, and Nambucca gave Inverell their second straight loss.

New England stumbled in their pursuit of the pre-season Cup, however, showing a lack of self-discipline and some inexperience in a scrappy loss to the Tamworth Roos. The Nomads had an equal share of possession in their 37-18 loss but gave away several reckless free kicks in goal scoring positions to allow the Roos to push ahead and eventually claim the Cup.

The day did finish on a high for the Nomads, however, with a rampant performance against Inverell in a solid 38-18 victory. Nathan Moran, Tom Hunt, Ben Horne and Glenn “THE VOICE” Northway were the foundation of the performance, dominating all over the park.

Despite finishing second, the Nomads will take great confidence into the start of the regular season of 2006 with a promising list of players, a solid pre-season and a clever coaching staff at the helm.

Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Independent.

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