A great day and good crowd greeted both teams, the Bay’s Reds team like Bombala were missing a couple of players through injury, however, both teams were able to field a full side with a spare on the bench.

Bombala, however, were boosted by the return of several past players in Brett Hodak, Paul Perkins, Murray Jackson and Jackson Standen.

The Bluetongues wanted to start well and the first five minutes saw the Bombala boys take the visitors by storm scoring two quick trys. 

A trademark individual effort saw Leigh Radford breaking several tackles to open his tally for the day; another saw a quick tap from Andrew Boreham – taking the score to 10-0 for Bombala.

A great break from Murray Jackson down the right hand side put the Bluetongues only metres out.

An offload to Leigh Radford and he had his second try in no time –  converted by Dane Cottrell, the score was 17-0.

The Bay finally got some possession and with the help of some silly penalties from the home side the Reds were in the Bluetongues’ 22 looking to open their account. 

Continued runs from the big Bay forwards at the Bombala line were shut down, some great defence from Andrew Boreham playing at number 8 and Dane Cottrell at half back, both of whom stopped certain trys.

With their efforts foiled numerous times a mistake from the Bay team gave the ball back to Bombala who were able to kick the ball clear, taking the lineout and play up to the halfway mark.

A nice ball from Korie Elton put Leigh Radford into space and he was over for his hat trick – converted, taking Bombala’s lead to 24-0.

Another great take under pressure at the restart from Joel Cherry set the ball up, and the game was proving very one-sided. 

With great support play and communication from the Bluetongues, the side was showing the competition what they were capable of. 

As the first half was coming to a close the Bluetongues were looking to have the final say. 

A set of strong carries from the likes of Joel Cherry, Vin Papalii and Jackson Standen proved too much for the visitors and it was Haywood Fraser who finished the attack off by crossing over, unconverted half time score 29-0.

The second half saw a rampaging Bluetongues side put the Bay Reds to the sword, the half consisted of nine unanswered trys to Bombala. 

The Bombala forwards continued to punch the ball up the middle of the park and with the space out wide the home side back line proved too good.

Trys to Paul Perkins, Murray Jackson and Doug Parsons all came in no time at all, Paul Perkins finishing off a nice move to punch through the line with pace and score under the posts, score 36-0. 

Murray Jackson at full back had looked dangerous all game with ball in hand and had set up several trys for other team mates. 

Murray was then over for his own try, breaking tackles on the way to score out wide, unconverted score 39-0. 

From the restart the Bluetongues punched the ball up field, a quick passage of play with ball carriers supported all the way the ball was kept alive and the final pop pass from Ross Page at breakaway saw Doug Parsons cross for his first try of the year, unconverted score 46-0.

Brett Hodak was next to crash through to score, unconverted 49-0, and moments later was in the thick of the action, with a big run and an unselfish pass to Joel Cherry put Joel over for his first for the year, taking the score to 54-0.

The backline proved too good from the kick off, Bombala sending the ball wide and Paul Perkins again broke the line, he drew the tackle of the Bay Reds fullback and popped the ball up to Ross Page running in support, who was then able to pop the ball to Chris Anderson (who had come on for injured Murray Jackson) who then crossed himself to score – 59-0 to Bombala.

A great take from the restart from Andrew Boreham who under pressure popped the ball to Brett Hodak who caught the defenders off guard made another telling run deep into the Bay Reds territory, more great support play from loose forward Matt Gould saw him on the end of Brett’s good work and he was able to then cross to open his try tally for the season, score line 66-0.

Again from the restart the Bluetongues went wide and the metres were coming easily to the home side, some quick recycling of the ball and the Bay Reds team were at sixes and sevens, leaving the room for Jackson Standen to continue his strong running game and cross the line nearly untouched, score unconverted 71-0.

With no time to go Bombala had one last say in the game. 

Chris Anderson took the ball from a kick and made a strong run down the right hand side breaking several tackles, supported by Hugh Stephen the ball was set up and Captain Vin Papalii punched the ball closer to the line and the ever present breakaway Angus Litchfield was over to finish the game with his first for the year, bringing the final score to 76-0 to Bombala.

Points:

3 points went to Brett Hodak.

2 points went to Doug Parsons. 

1 point went to Leigh Radford.

Players Player was unanimous, votes going to Joel Cherry.

Commitment Cup went to Murray Jackson.

Thanks:

To everyone who has been a part of the Bombala Bluetongues this season, we shall be finalising a date for our presentation and awards night.

All are welcome and we would love to see all the sponsors there to share the night so watch this space.

Thanks again to all our sponsors this year, your support is crucial to the club: The Globe Hotel, CWP Boco Rock Wind Farm, IGA, Bendoc Park Herefords, Linga Longa Cafe, 

D and M Automotive, Monaro Farming Systems, Dungaree Past Co, Brugalong Livestock, Village Ford, Landmark, Meadowbank Borders and Texels, W and W Hampshire Plumbing, Jamie’s Bobcats, Goats Graphics, Superannuation Fund Audit Service, HJ Brown Constructions, Fast Cash ATMs, Roger Pearce and Norm Talbot Transport.