THE difference between nines knockout football and competition rugby league was never more evident than at Cooma Show-ground on Saturday as the rampant Cooma Stallions’ big men rolled through the Bay Tigers to set up first round wins in both grades.
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The reserves were dominated early by Cooma and were behind 16-nil at half-time.
The Bay “toughed it out” in the second stanza and ran in three tries from Sean Connell, Jack Drew and Doug Ebsworth, who also kicked three goals.
At full-time, Cooma had won 36-18.
“Billy Zahra, Scott Belcher, Jarrod Ward and Ben Carmody were the pick of the forwards while Doug Ebsworth, Sean Connell, Will Reynolds and Anthony Chatfield stood out in the backs,” Bay Tigers president Bob Mitchell said.
In first grade, the Bay was swamped early in its Group 16 debut as Cooma charged to a 12-nil lead.
Rhys Burazer then streaked over and Jacob Hill converted to make the score 12-6.
Cooma hit back with two more tries to Mitch Hines and Josh Schofield to take a 22-6 lead.
Mitch Freeman showed a clean pair of heels out wide to post another four-pointer for the Tigers and Hill duly converted.
The visitors trailed 21-12 late in the second half and the mountain men’s forwards began to damage the Bay’s defence in the middle of the field.
It gave room for Cooma’s outside men and the Bay leaked two more tries to Hines, who scored four tries in the match.
“The six-tries-to- three difference was not a big deal when you consider the quick start the locals got off to and the size and experience of the two sides,” Mitchell said.
“The referee welcomed the Tigers to Group 16 with a lopsided penalty count to show us just who was running the show down there at the foot of the mountain.”
The full-time score of 32-12 was “something the club could live with”.
“Jack Leggett took it to the locals and was admirably supported by Mason Harrison, Marcus Golman and Sam Cunningham,” Mitchell said.
He said Kane Leggett and Lachlan Knox were gallant in the centres.
“It is a tough job out wide when the opposition forwards are powering through the middle and you are on the back foot from the get go,” he said.
“Both youngsters look more suited to the second row later on in their careers.
“Jacob Hill, Luc Hill, Scott Belcher and Baden Payne more than held their own against a more dominant side and can be proud of their efforts.”
The Tigers were made welcome by the home club but the late start and the long trip spoiled their chance to have a beer with the locals after the game.
“Late afternoon starts at Cooma should become a thing of the past as the Bay boys learn the ins and outs of Group 16,” he said.
“Thanks to the supporters and committee who made the trip, and apart from the result, the club had a good day as another step on the road to recovery was made.”
The Tigers host last year’s grand finalists, Narooma Devils, at Mackay Park on Saturday in the club’s first home game in Group 16 for 45 years.
There may be a ladies’ league tag exhibition game at 3.30pm if the Bay can field a team.
The reserves will kick off at 4.30pm and the first grade game will commence at 6pm.