The Pacific Hotel Yamba Buccaneers have taken out the inaugural Buccaneers Pre-season Challenge after a draw and a win in the tournament in Yamba on Saturday. Featuring Yamba, Grafton Redmen and Redcliffe Demon rugby clubs, the Pre-season Challenge was a round-robin tournament held for the first time in Yamba. Yamba took the trophy on for and against, after drawing 10-all with Grafton and beating Redcliffe 20 -5. Grafton defeated Redcliffe 15-5 in the other game. Yamba coach Scott Moore said the day had proved a huge success for his team. “It was great to win the trophy but that wasn’t our focus,” he said. “Our aim was to get some miles into the boys’ legs and work on our structures and from that perspective the day was perfect. “Our team looked really good in the two games and this weekend gives us a lot of confidence going into the season.” As well as three senior games, the Yamba Junior Buccaneers also played three trial games; one an internal trial and two against Grafton. Yamba President Adrian Miller said club was extremely happy with the day. “Being the first time we ran the tournament it was a bit of an unknown how it would go, but we’ve received nothing but positive feedback,” he said. “Both Grafton and Redcliffe said they’d be back next year so we will definitely look to hold it in 2019.” Miller said the club was very appreciative of all the support they received to hold the tournament. “The support we got was fantastic,” he said. “Thanks to all our sponsors, committee members, helpers, players and supporters, it was a fantastic day and we couldn’t have done it without their help.”