THIRTEEN locals from Bombala and the surrounds played in the victorious Cooma Fillies league tag side this year.
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The girls travelled each week to train with the Cooma locals and showed great dedication and enthusiasm in their efforts all year.
For some, it was their first season with the Cooma club, for others, they recruited well and returned to the side they had committed to for almost four years.
Co-captain Maree Ingram is the heart and soul of the Fillies’ side.
Her leadership propelled the team forward this season, and her ability on the field was unsurpassed.
Her kicking game and tenacity in defence stand out as her input on the field, but beyond that, she gave the other girls confidence in themselves.
Maree was the deserved recipient of the Best and Fairest player at the recent presentation evening.
Her sister, Patrice Clear, has energy enough for the entire team.
She could take out an entire set of tags with ease and caused headaches for each team in attack.
Her speed and ability across the park was essential to the Fillies’ success.
Similarly, Monique Ingram’s role within the team could not go unheralded.
Monique stepped up this year with power in her attack and leadership on the field.
Monique made line breaks continuously this season, befuddling the defence with her show-and-go and having the presence of mind to hold the ball or find support when the opportunity arose.
She was a true asset. Big sister Brooke Morey was the quiet achiever of the team, travelling from Canberra each week to train.
Brooke’s confidence grew as the season continued and would stop attackers in their path with well timed tags and determination to keep the Fillies’ line unbroken.
Outside of the Ingram quartet, young fullback Kayla Jamieson from Bendoc showed grit and a lack of self preservation in her efforts to hold possession for the Fillies.
Sliding dangerously at the stampeding feet of the oncoming opposition, Kayla was sure to come out on top.
Her impact and commitment to the team saw her awarded the Coach’s Award for 2014.
Despite a possible season ending health concern, Chloe Murphy returned bigger and better and her impact was profound.
In attack, she found good metres up the middle of the field, but her efforts in putting her body on the line and her diving tags lifted the team.
Speedsters Tash Stewart and Jane Peadon were unstoppable in the clear and positioned the Fillies for points on multiple occasions.
Tash’s ability to effortlessly stride out made her an asset when the Fillies needed a boost in the right direction, while Jane’s explosive pace saw her reliably next to any line break to provide essential support.
Both girls were sure to be in the thick of things following a kick and fullbacks were wary of their presence, with Jane scoring multiple tries off the bounce of the ball.
The level headedness of Emma
Sullivan in the middle of the field was a calming influence on the team.
At first receiver, Emma was adept at drawing the marker and offloading to her support player, gaining good metres for the team.
Emma’s dominance grew as the season continued and she was deservedly awarded the Most Improved player for 2014.
Similarly, Sue Morgan and Trina Brownlie brought experience to the side and, along with good humour, their efforts in attack and defence were indispensable.
Sue was certain to break the line as she hit up the ball, while Trina was convincing in the roles she played in set moves.
Bec Robson and May Peck were equally vital in the Fillies’ efforts this year.
Bec was another line break star and her short bursts in the middle of the field had teams on the back foot.
She also put her body on the line in defence, lunging confidently to quash the rampaging runs of opposing teams.
Last, but certainly not least, May Peck brought direction and confidence to the team.
Her talk in defence had the Fillies positioned well for all raids of their line, and she was similarly safe on the flanks to take any kicks that came her way and to provide support to those at fullback.
The Bombala girls, in conjunction with the Cooma contingent, were a force to be reckoned with this season and the squad grew together as they overcame the tests that football provides.
The Cooma Fillies were proud to have the support of their regional neighbours this season, and of the friendships formed in their efforts, culminating in the 16-10 win over the Bega Chicks in the grand final.
The Cooma United Rugby League Football Club hopes that the proud association between the two towns continues next season.