A 52-point loss in round 11 to St Albert’s College spurred Glen Innes-Guyra on to hit back the following week against Armidale Blues.
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The GhostStags posted their first victory for the season against the Blues in round seven, after spending the first six fixtures winless.
The side were missing a host of players in their game against Albies but were close to full strength in Saturday’s game against the Blues and it payed dividends.
Glen-Guyra were leading 15-7 at the break but they had to earn the win a player down with Filamone Aho sent from the field five minutes into the second half.
Coach Whata Rogers said his team dug in late to win 27-19.
“We gritted it out in the end,” he said.
“The guys just dug in, we came from behind with a guy sent off so it was pretty good.
We had a bit of a talk at half-time and said ‘if you want it and have got more desire and determination, you will get there’ and they did that. It was pretty good.
- Whata Rogers
“We struggled in a few scrums but we ended up at the right end of the field and basically everybody gritted in and we got the ball back and we got over the line.
“They just wanted it more after what happened before.
“We had a bit of a talk at half-time and said ‘if you want it and have got more desire and determination, you will get there’ and they did that. It was pretty good.”
The depth gave the side the edge.
“The guys that were working came back, our hooker came back, our centre came back,” Rogers said.
“We actually had some reserves on the bench.
“It makes a difference.”
They face a bigger test this week when they come up against a Barbarians team full of confidence after knocking off the reigning premiers.
They were beaten by the Baa Baas by three points in round 10 but Rogers believes it could be a different contest on Glen Innes turf.
“It should be a good contest with our players back,” he said.
“We have to take our opportunities this time and see how we go.
“It will be good to take them after they took Albies, give us a bit of confidence going in. Last time it was a good game and they play a good forward's game as well so it should be a good contest.”