The club is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017 and has lined up a major goal.

“We want to make rugby big again in town,” captain Doug McKillop said.

“There is something to build on for next season and we want a couple more recruits to help us.”

Scone’s young squad made rapid improvements throughout this season, producing a stirring 29-22 win over Gunnedah on Ladies Day and regularly pushing its more-fancied Central North opponents to the brink.

The Brumbies head into the final home game against Barraba this Saturday with no chance of making it to the business end of the season.

However, coach Luke Bailey said he was proud of the team’s transformation.

“The difference between the start of the season and how we’re finishing is a great leap forward,” he said.

“We’ve really consolidated the basics and played better as a team, which is starting to show with a few of our results.

“We are in games for a lot longer now.

“A few guys were only starting rugby earlier this year and they’ve gotten better every game.

“There is a positive feeling in the club that we’re moving forward, we’ve just got to keep this young group of guys together.”

The last time Scone took on Barraba was in round three, with the New England-based outfit claiming a 78-14 victory.

The match will kick-off at Brumby Park at 3.15pm, with second grade starting at 1.45pm. The Brumbies’ reserves are also out of the finals, sitting in ninth position after recording four wins and eight losses so far.

Both teams have the bye next weekend. In other fixtures across Central North’s first grade competition, Tamworth takes on Gunnedah while Moree battles Inverell and Narrabri plays Walcha.