NSW Country Rugby

The NSW Country President’s XV and the Kiss the Frog Invitational XV launched the Kiss the Frog Foundation with an outstanding match in Scone on Saturday.

The Kiss the Frog Foundation has been established to raise funds for Josh Clift who broke his neck twice in 2008, initially in a Rugby match and later in a motor vehicle accident which has left him an incomplete quadriplegic.

Anyone who thought the match was going to be a kick and giggle affair knew they were in for an afternoon of entertainment when the opening seven minutes of play saw nonstop action.

NSW Country opened the match on the attack and continually recycled the ball to mount numerous attacking raids, while the KTFF tackled themselves to a standstill to deny a score.

The NSW Country President’s XV comprised of current and past Cockatoos, together with a selection of young and upcoming players from across NSW Country, Southern Inland and Monaro.

The KTFF Invitation XV was selected from players who had played with Josh at St Josephs College, Randwick Rugby Club, Scone Rugby Club, Central North, New England, Newcastle Hunter and NSW Country.

Each of the four quarters of the match featured outstanding passages of play which resulted in twelve tries being scored, with the final result being a narrow 41 – 35 win by the Kiss the Frog Invitational XV over the NSW Country President’s XV.

NSW Country President Bruce Worboys said “Country Rugby hadn’t hesitated to play in the match as it epitomised the true spirit of Rugby, and this was reflected in the willingness of the players to participate to assist a fellow player”.

Kiss the Frog Invitation XV – 41 (Seven Tries & Three Conversions)

Defeated

NSW Country President’s XV – 35 (Five Tries & Five Conversions)

NSW Country President’s XV

1.      Fergus McIntosh – Glen Innes

2.      Ron Hobden – UNE Barbarians

3.      John Adams – Guyra

4.      Matt Waterford – Bathurst

5.      Matt Dun – Newcastle Uni

6.      Alex Burnheim – Coonamble

7.      Ben Colley – Moree

8.      Matt Meggison – Wagga Waratahs

9.      Tom Hollis – St Alberts College

10.  Michael Webber – Goulburn

11.  David Kennedy – Newcastle Uni

12.  Sam Stewart – Lennox Head

13.  Heath Riggs – Moree

14.  Dennis Raft – Terrigal

15.  Will Guest – Coffs Crushers

16.  Cameron Kesby – Gunnedah

17.  Ron Lawrence – Canowindra

18.  Jeff Wilson – Lennox Head

19.  Nick Davidson – Maitland

20.  Ben Wallace – Coffs Breakers

21.  Richie Steele – Warren

22.  Jay Tregonning – Wollongong Vikings

23.  Dean Matthews – Dubbo Roos

24.  Ross Duncan – Dubbo Rhinos