All the buzz in Tenterfield’s sporting landscape lately has centred around the newly-formed Tenterfield Bumblebees rugby union club.
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The sport made its return to town in emphatic style with hundreds of spectators swarming to watch a gala event hosted by the Bumblebees on Saturday.
The Bumblebees formed to field a team in the Far North Coast third grade competition this year and Saturday was the club’s first outing in an encounter against St Albert’s College from New England Rugby Union.
Four games greeted spectators in a day which set out to raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The Golden Oldies clash between the Tenterfield Blue Heelers and Wollongbar Warhorses began the day at 12pm before the Bumblebees made their debut in the following match.
In their first game together, the Bumblebees tasted sweet success and took the sting out of the visitors with a 15-nil triumph.
“The boys did very well, they worked together as a team and listened to the instructions from the coaching staff,” Bumblebees’ secretary Toby Fibbins said.
“We were really impressed with some of the high school students who stepped up to play. Lachie Dorward scored a try which sealed the win.”
Fibbins believes the win adds confidence to the Bumblebees leading into the 2018 season.
“It does put us in good stead,” he said.
“Now that they have some confidence with their first win they will be able to work on the areas that we have identified to improve on but then believe in themselves.”
A second grade game between Albies and Wollongbar Pioneers followed Tenterfield’s clash.
A first grade Premier’s Challenge between New England 2016 and 2017 champions, Albies, and Far North Coast victors, Wollongbar Pioneers.
The Pioneers succeeded the university side 54 points to 12.
Fibbins said although it was a bit of a different sport to what the hundreds of spectators were used to, they were eager to see more in the future.
“It was a fantastic weekend, we got a few hundred people there. There were a fair few confused locals who didn't know the rules but I have heard nothing but positive reports,” he said.
“The people who did attend it are keen to experience more of it in the future.”
In the fundraising, around $9500 was raised to donate to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.