WHEN the Cootamundra Tricolours run onto Country Club Oval tomorrow for the first game in this year’s Southern Inland Rugby Union competition, the eyes of the home town supporters will instinctively turn to a couple of players.
While several of the club’s experienced campaigners will again be pulling on the jumpers in 2008, tomorrow’s season opener against Young will see the Tricolours unearth two new players in Ed Blackburn and Toby Hammond.
The 18-year-olds will continue a long and successful
association the Tricolours have had with local property Futter Park, from which a number of farm-hands over the years have made the weekly trips into to town to be part of the club.
Blackburn and Hammond began their tenure at Futter Park just prior to Christmas, having completed their schooling at Kings in 2007.
Both played rugby for their school, Hammond, who originates from Oberon, in the school’s fourths, while Blackburn, who hails from a property near Dubbo, in the fifths.
It was only natural they would link with the Tricolours
during their stint in the region.
“We got to know a few of the players when we were out
earlier in the year and they told us all about the club,” Toby said.
“It’s (playing) a great way to meet new people and become a part of the community and we had no hesitation in joining.”
Both were on deck for the Tricolours two pre-season trials, admitting both games against Temora and Young were tough.
“It gave us an idea of the quality of opposition teams and they were hard games, Blackburn said.
“We didn’t have our full strength side for either trial, so I’m expecting things to be different once the competition starts.”
One thing both players noticed during the trials was the
support of the Tricolours fans.
“Even though they were only trials, there was a good crowd,” Hammond said.
“The atmosphere here at the ground was excellent and the fans are so close to the action.”
While Hammond and Blackburn will no doubt be nervous for their official club debut, their tensions will be eased by the appearance of several established stars.
Blackburn will pack down in the second row where his
forward cohorts will include Lachie Bassingthwaighte, James Burge and Andrew Sheridan, while Hammond will be
partnered in the halves by another player looking to make an impact in his first full season of rugby, Phil Gay.
Out wide the Tricolours will look to the likes of Graeme Hardie, Ben Brown and Chris Friend to exploit any gaps in the Yabbies defence.
Tomorrow’s main game will kick off at 3.15pm, preceded by a reserve grade match at 1.30pm and an under 17s game at 12.30pm.