The Group 19 trial games didn’t go Guyra’s way on the scoreboard but the size of the crowd that turned up at the Sports Complex proved the town’s hunger for senior rugby league after a two-year famine.

The leaguetag was first up and, despite looking like the better side in the first third of the game against Armidale, the Spudettes couldn’t convert pressure into points.

Bea Roberts, Brittany Youman, Sophie Gaukroger and Taylor Waters were busy for the locals but lack of game time led to tired legs and the visitors ran in a few tries late in the game to win 24-nil.

In the senior men’s game the Spuds gave 26 players a run and enthusiasm was high.

After trailing 10-nil the Spud scored their first four-pointer when Ike Roberts plunged over from close range.

Tony Dittman slotted the goal and it was 10-6.

That was as close as Guyra got as the Rams started to show the advantage of experience and two prior trial games.

As Guyra ran out of puff the Rams ran up a 44-6 win, but coach Stephen Kliendienst was pleased with the first hit-out for a Spuds squad that needed the run.

“We only had about 30 per cent of the ball,” he said.

“But I’m not disappointed with it.

“We were like a bull at a gate – the boys just wanted to get out there and play.

“And these blokes (Armidale) are an experienced side.

“They’ve been playing together for years.

“We’ve been playing for one game.”

The coach was also delighted with the amount of support from the fans, who enjoyed the unusually warm evening.

Dittman was a standout for Guyra while Tom Starr, Scott Miller and Tremane Patterson ran hard.

This Saturday both Guyra sides are back in action at Glen Innes in the last of the Group 19 trials.

It will be a tough assignment, but another chance to build towards the first game of the premiership against Ashford at Guyra on the weekend after Easter.

Grant Robertson