THE Coffs Harbour Snappers have celebrated the great contributions women have made to the club by hosting its Ladies Day.

The special day coincided with the Snappers taking on the Kempsey Cannonballs in the latest round of the Upper Mid North Coast Rugby Union season.

Vanessa Kovac is the captain of the Snappers women’s team, and was one of the many women the club recognised with its Ladies Day.

The forward said it was great the club recognised the efforts of all the women involved with the Snappers.

‘It’s just nice recognition for all the women at the club, not just the players but all the women behind the scenes,” she said.

“It’s nice to have a day that recognises that, and to recognise the efforts of those behind the scenes and on the field.”

Kovac and her Snappers women’s side made it an extra special Ladies Day, becoming the first side to beat the Kempsey Cannonballs this season.

“We just knocked off the team that hadn’t lost all season 17-10,” she said.

“They beat us by a lot the last time we played them, so it was a great win.”

The Coffs Harbour Snappers first grade men held off a fast-finishing Kempsey Cannonballs to prevail 31-26, in a Saturday afternoon special at Bay Range Rugby Park.

The Snappers led 24-7 shortly after half-time, but had to withstand a spirited fight back from the visitors who refused to give in.

The Snappers scored a late try to take the lead to 31-21 in the dying stages, but the Cannonballs hit straight back with a try of their own to set up a grandstand finish.

Desperate defence in the final frantic minutes helped the Snappers seal a much-needed win with the finals series approaching.

By Aiden BURGESS