By James Polson (Armidale Express, 08/05/2009)
All eyes will be on the New England Nomads’ favourite import Omphile Temoso when he lines up against the Muswellbrook Cats at Bellevue tomorrow.

‘Ompsy’, as he is known to his team-mates, was the grateful recipient of a new pair of boots and a jersey courtesy of New England Credit Union (NECU) and Armidale Sportspower.

The 24-year-old Botswanan student played his first competition game last week, and according to Nomads president Ben Page, he could be one to watch.

“He went alright,” he said.

“As the game went on he got better, he’s got the natural ability and it’s just a matter of teaching him the game.”

The Cats were on the end of a 108-point thrashing at the hands of Gunnedah in their first match last week, while the Nomads will be hoping to make it two from two to start the year and have some extra motivation.

It will be the 50th game for club stalwart Ron Crump, who is also the Nomads’ only life member.

He becomes the eighth player to join the 50 club.

“We’ll be pretty close to full strength,” Page said.

“We’ve got one out injured – Hamish Pearce – he’s 17 years old and from what I’ve seen he’s probably the best player in the competition.”

Page said that while he was happy with last week’s win, there was plenty of room for improvement.

“We didn’t play great last week but the boys battled it out for the full four quarters,” he said.

“It was a gutsy win.

“As the game went on the new guys got better and better, they’re all keen to learn.”

NECU CEO Kevin Dupé, who first heard about Ompsy through a colleague, downplayed the gesture.

“It’s really just quietly supporting sport with a little bit of help,” he said.

“The new boots can give you that little bit more – he’ll probably kick one or two extra goals this week.”

Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express

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