Nomads embarrassed by Cats
By Michael Morrissey, Armidale Express (28/05/2007)
The Nomads have been sent back to the drawing board after being annihilated 19.18.132 to 7.12.54 by the Cats in Muswellbrook on Saturday.
The Cats got out to an early lead kicking eight goals to two in the first quarter.
The performance was described by New England coach Adrian Walsh ‘possibly the worst quarter by the Nomads in my time with them’.
The New England boys regrouped after the early shellacking, but were never going to make up the differential.
“It was a completely laclustre performance,” Walsh said.
“Every possible mistake we could make we made.
“To the boys credit they kept up after the first quarter and didn’t drop their heads, but it’s back to the drawing board.”
Muswellbrook went into half-time up 12 goals to four and continued comfortably in the second half to guarentee an easy win.
The Nomads had seven late withdrawals from the team that they hoped to send down the hill, however Walsh said ‘it was no excuse’.
“They completely showed us up with their fitness,” he said.
“They were all over us in their running game.
“In every contest they had five guys to our two so they’re going to come up with the ball time after time.”
Anthony Alderuccio, Glen Northway, Mark Curran and Anthony Reid all worked hard but struggled without the support around them.
Walsh was impressed with newcomer James Downie, who took advantage of the Robb rugby bye to have a run with the Nomads.
He finished with over 30 posessions in his first New England game.
In other matches the Inverell Saints slaughtered the Narrabri Eagles 24.16.162 to 6.5.41 while in an all Tamworth affair the Kangaroos bounced over the Swans 15.15.105 to 12.9.81.
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