FNC Rugby reps ready for Country Championships

GRAFTON Redmen are represented at both ends of the spectrum in the Far North Coast under-20s team to contest NSW Country Colts Championships this weekend.

MOUNT UP: David Clark and Zach Hyatt will represent Far North Coast at the under-20 country rugby titles at Mudgee. Photo: Adam Hourigan/The Daily Examiner

GRAFTON Redmen are represented at both ends of the spectrum in the Far North Coast under-20s team to contest NSW Country Colts Championships this weekend.

At 130kg, loose-head prop David Clark is a Goliath next to halfback Zach Hyatt, who tips the scales at 74kg.

Physical differences aside, their contrasting roles will be equally vital as Far North Coast takes on the state's top regions in the top-tier Rowlands Colts Cup.

Far North Coast will tackle Central West at Mudgee on Saturday for a spot in the Cup final to be played Sunday against the winner of Newcastle Hunter and Central Coast.

Clark is no stranger to the front row of Far North Coast Rugby Union's scrums. The second-year apprentice at Westlawn Mechanical in Grafton is lining up for his fourth season in a Far North Coast representative jersey.

"It's always good to have a run around," Clark said.

"We won it my first year, in under-15s, and been mid-range the last couple.

"Definitely in the scrums the forwards packs of all these teams are well trained."

Clark is yet to don a Country jersey and will be out to impress Country Cockatoos Colts selectors after feeling he was in the mix last year.

That was until he was forced to play through the tournament injured after damaging shoulder ligaments in the team's last trial against Lennox Head first-grade side the night before the trip.

The team had its final training run last night in Lismore and yesterday Clark was hopeful he would get through unscathed this time around.

"After I finish work we're going straight to Lismore for our last training session," Clark said.

"Hopefully it's a quiet night tonight."

Meanwhile Hyatt, now working at Landmark in South Grafton, had a 2013 he'd rather forget.

Just weeks after making his first-grade debut and having already played one match for NSW Country Schools, Hyatt was preparing for a second when he broke his ankle in a Daily Examiner Shield Rugby League match for McAuley Catholic College.

Also in his fourth season in a Dolphins jersey and chasing his first Cockatoos one, he'll be out to put his best forward.

"Last year wasn't the best," Hyatt admitted. "I played one game for Country Schools and broke my ankle, it was bad luck.

"I've improved a lot and am pretty excited for this weekend so I'll see how I go.

"After that the focus is for Grafton and trying to make the finals."

Clark forged on through the season and by August was a regular face in the Redmen first-grade pack. Both are set to play major roles for the club this season.

"Zach's a good little footy player who reads the game well," Clark said.

"He controls what's happening on the park and makes sure we're taking the team forward. He's one of the best halfbacks I've played with."

Meanwhile Far North Coast will not feature in the top tier of open division of the NSW Country Championships.

Instead the Dolphins will contest the second-tier Richardson Shield against the likes of Central Coast, Mid North Coast, New England and Western Plains.

Newcastle Hunter will be favourites to win a seventh consecutive Caldwell Cup in tier one.

Originally published as FNC Rugby reps ready for Country Championships