THE Muswellbrook RSL Heelers kicked off its 2017 premiership campaign last Saturday with a 33-10 win over Cooks Hill 2.
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The 2017 Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union (NHRU) Divisional competition has been restructured to accommodate a number of team changes.
Army, who have been a strong force in the competition over the years, joined forces with the Singleton Bulls in Premier Division and Medowie, who was knocked out of the finals by the Heelers last year, has merged with the Nelson Bay Gropers.
The format now features an even home and away series with a five-team final series.
With those changes made, the Heelers travelled to Empire Park, Bar Beach, to take on Cooks Hills 2 that won last year’s Patron’s Shield.
The match was scheduled as a double header for the Cooks Hill club but with East Maitland withdrawing from the competition in the eleventh hour, Muswellbrook prepared to take on any team the hosts threw at them.
The Heelers had a slow start to the game, however they soon posted first points with a try to new recruit Dean Macaskill on the left wing.
Cooks Hills scored shortly after levelling up at 5-all.
It looked like it was going to be a long day at the office with Muswellbrook coach Mick Hall already pacing the sidelines.
The Heelers settled into their structure and started to dominate possession and field position with some great forward play and smart tactical kicking in the windy conditions by Cameron Young and Mitchell Googe.
The pressure soon took its toll on Cooks Hill, conceding another try, this time for Ben Heriot, close to the posts that was successfully converted by Young.
Half-time sounded with the Heelers holding a narrow 12-5 lead.
After the break, Muswellbrook continued its first half form with early tries to Harry Hobden and Mark Snow.
Young successfully converted two long range attempts in the tricky conditions, using the wind to steer the ball through the posts.
By mid-point of the second half, fatigue started to affect both teams.
Cooks Hill capitalised on this period scoring a try in the 50th minute of the match.
In a promising sign, the Heelers finished the stronger of the sides and, after the bench was emptied, the dominant pack kept the ball tight and marched up the field allowing space for fullback Joel Doran to score close to full-time.
Another successful conversion to Young closed the match out 33-10.
Hall was happy with the outcome.
“The first game is good to get out of the way,” he said.
“We chose not to run any trial games so the boys were a bit rusty.
“But, we have trained well and we have come together as a team.
“Ball retention is the key and once we started to play to our structure, we were able to work to our strengths.”
In a game where everyone contributed, players’ player went to Snow, while coach’s points went to Heriot (3), Jason Tyerman (2) and Jeb Hardy and Scott Almond shared one.
The Heelers get a break from play to nurse some bruises for the Easter long weekend followed by a home game on April 22 against Easts 2.
This will be the annual Sponsors Day for the club and they are expecting a great crowd.
The Heelers are celebrating their 50th year and have a number of events earmarked throughout the season.
