The news just gets worse for Inverell ahead of their clash against the undefeated Pirates at Chillingworth Oval on Saturday – they will face a full-strength side. Pirates coach Mat Kelly delivered the daunting news, with the return of No.7 Sam Collins and fullback Simon Trappell giving the reigning premiers their strongest possible outfit. “We’ve had one or two changes nearly every week,” Kelly said. “We look to finish off the first round in good fashion but we’re not underes

The Pirates sit atop the ladder undefeated but they’re not content, coach Mat Kelly said. The cause of that discontent are the moments of impatience that seep into the side’s play – a desire to convert scoring opportunities without building sufficient pressure. The Pirates are good, but Kelly believes they can be better. He hopes to see plenty of patience when the team travels to Narrabri on Saturday for the sides’ first encounter since the Pirates’ 66-19 hammering of the Blu

Two brilliant patches of play have ensured Pirates’ unbeaten start to the Central North Rugby Union season continues. The Tamworth outfit beat Gunnedah 50-12 at Ken Chillingworth Oval on Saturday with Pirates doing the majority of their scoring in two scintillating periods. Pirates turned down three easy points, with a penalty right in front, four minutes into the match but made good on the call as Jack Shelton crashed over. That was the start of Tamworth’s first hot period a