Spring Cup is in the air

Falcons’ Grant Barringer and Nathan Freeman and Barbarians’ Jimmy Courtice and Matt Leighton gear up for the start of the Spring Cup.

Max Fleet

ALLOWAY Falcons and West Barbarians were the lightweights of last year's competition but they will each start the new Bundaberg Rugby (BR) season with high hopes tomorrow night.

They will clash in the first match of The Waves Spring Cup at ATW Sports Complex, starting at 6.30pm.

BR committee member Nathan Freeman, who is also Falcons' player/coach, said Fraser Coast Mariners, which won the cup in its inaugural season in 2009 before being beaten by Turtles in last year's grand final, had not entered this year.

"They are conducting a sevens' comp in Hervey Bay, which is unfortunate for us, but it means there will be no bye and there are four local teams which are all committed," Freeman said.

Freeman will be at the Falcons' helm for the third year in a row, as will Matt Leighton for Barbarians and Wayne Cook for Isis Crushers, and while it is yet to be confirmed, Rob Darney is likely to again be in charge of the Turtles after their unbeaten last season.

This season, there will be 12 straight weeks of fixtures before the top two sides battle it out in the grand final on December 2.

Despite a reported short preparation, Freeman expects Turtles to again be the benchmark, but he is looking forward to getting back on the field at hooker and marshalling his troops after missing all last campaign after breaking his leg late in the soccer season.

"I can't wait - we've got a new-look backline with Andrew Filo returning from Barbarians and a couple of new younger players in the ranks from St Luke's - Tyler Dell and Ash Emerick - joining schoolmates Brendan Cox and Jonathon Dimes," he said.

"Hugh Byrnes is also playing and we've got a similar forward pack to last year with 'Avatar' Anthony Matthew, Grant Barringer and Adam Bush and we'll build on that.

"We've been training 12 weeks and solid training for the last three weeks and we're looking to turn it around after a shocker last year after we made the grand final the year before.

"Barbars will be a good clash first-up - Jimmy Courtice is always good for them around the rucks and Peter Holmes has gone to them after playing for us last year.

"But Matt Leighton tells me they will be short on numbers with Tom Marland on his honeymoon and he'll be a loss, and Justin Croucher and a few others out.

"But Turtles always put a good side on the park - they will try and retain their premiership and they are always the team to beat."

The Turtles start their title defence when they meet the Crushers at 8pm.

All teams are chasing more players and anyone interested should call Freeman (Falcons) on 0415 760 804, Cook (Crushers) 0438 798 229, Leighton (Barbarians) 0429 822 908 or Steve Andrews (Turtles) 0404 336 512.