COFFS Harbour Snappers made it a clean sweep against the Grafton Redmen, winning the under 14s, 18s, women’s and men’s first grade on a terrific day for the club.

The wet conditions in Grafton didn’t dampen the spirits of the travelling Snappers who got off to a flying start in the under 14s with a scintillating 78-0 win.

The 18s continued the momentum with a narrow 15-10 victory and the women put on a dominant show, not conceding a point with a 30-0 win.

Men’s first grade continued the momentum with a 34-0 win, with two tries from Dylan Bishop and tries from Zac Cross, Stuart McVicar, Jacob Oxley and Carter Hoy.

Whilst the scoreline looked convincing, it was another gruelling match in the mud for Snappers coach Brendan Hoy.

“It was a tough slog, the scoreline didn’t reflect how hard we had to work for the win and our defence had to be strong all day to keep the Redmen out,” he said.

“Our tries were off the back of Grafton mistakes with our backs showing some good skills in the wet conditions.

“Mitch Walton returned to the Snappers where he first played before a number of years playing in Sydney.

“His experience and skill was a big difference in the game and it’s great to have him back.”

In his rookie year, Dylan Bishop is making big waves at the Snappers, capping off his performance with two tries and a man of the match award.

“Dylan Bishop continues to improve in his first year of rugby and ran some great lines and defended well in his man of the match performance, he has a big future in the game.

“The Snappers’ favourite son, Tumma Murray, also returned to a first grade in the hooker position and had a great game.

“His defence and strong running in traffic was top class.

“We also blooded four under 18s off the bench, Cameron Mitchell, Blake Connell, Blake Ninness and Jared Howle, all of whom will be a big part of this club into the future.”

The wet weather has wreaked havoc with the Snappers’ first round matches but the coach now believes the team are poised to gather momentum in the second round.

“The club has had a hard first round but with first grade getting three wins out of five, with an abandoned game against the Marlins meaning we lost the opportunity to make it four.

“This included three games in nine days which tested the depth of the club.

“Snappers are the only club that does not have any catch up games at this point which will make it hard for the other teams and puts us in a good position as we enter the second round.”

The local derby against the Marlins is one of the highlights of the rugby calendar and after the last derby match was abandoned due to a floodlight failure, Hoy is relishing the chance to do it all again this Saturday, 28 May.

“Looking forward to the local derby against the Marlins this Saturday at Rugby Park where we get a chance to turn around the disappointment of the last fixture.

“All clubs are doing it tough with the weather and it looks like it may be a factor for some time to come.

“I’m happy with the way we have handled the adversity and it has given us the chance to trial multiple players in the top grade,” concluded Hoy.

In a rugby extravaganza, the Snappers kick-off against the Marlins this Saturday 28 May at 9:15am with the under 14s followed by the 16s and 18s at Bay Range Coffs Harbour Rugby Park.

At 12:45 the Old Boys will take on the Coffs Gropers followed by the women’s, reserves and first grade, kicking off at 3:15pm for the Hoy – Potts – Black Cups.

By David WIGLEY