By MATT NICHOLLS
URALLA is confident it can return to first grade with a bang when it faces arch rivals Armidale in Saturday’s Group 19 rugby league opener.
Tigers coach Carl Press said Uralla had recruited strongly for its return to the top level, including three players from Armidale.
“I think we should be aiming for finals this year,” Press said.
“There’s no reason to think we won’t be competitive in first grade.”
Halfback Lewis Ahoy and centre Alistair Faulkner are two key pick-ups for the Tigers, while former Rams forward Dwayne Daly will likely play in the second row.
Dalwyn Vale will captain Uralla this year, with the former under-18s player returning to the Tigers from Port Macquarie Sharks.
Macksville recruit Fletcher Strong will play lock and should be a key player for Uralla, having represented Group 3 last season.
“We’ve also got a front rower from Fiji coming across … hopefully he arrives in time for Saturday,” Press said.
The only thing holding back the Tigers this season will be travel, the coach said.
“I think at the end of the season the players are going to have had enough,” Press said.
“We are already thinking about forfeiting to Goondiwindi when we have to travel to play them – it’s just too far.”
Lengthy road trips in Group 19 have always been an issue, but the addition of the Queensland team and an extra Moree side have compounded the problem.
“There are so many teams within a couple of hours drive, but we are going to have to leave before six o’clock in the morning to get to Goondiwindi for the under-18s match,” Press said.
“It’s just too far.”
Big quote
“We are already thinking about forfeiting to Goondiwindi when we have to travel to play them – it’s just too far.”
– Tigers coach Carl Press
