ON Sunday, March 29 the Bombala Heelers crew took off to Eden for Round 2 of the season. It was another mixed result for Bombala, with the Ladies taking out another win and the Blue Heeler boys having another tough day at the office, coming home on the end of another defeat.
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The difference in temperature was sure to take its toll on our highlander’s crew.
Ladies League Tag
The ladies started off strong in attack with Monique Ingram linking up with Tash Stewart out wide, Tash’s speed took her all the way to the line only to be denied at the last minute due to a fending call from the ref.
It was then the game took a turn with much of the first half spent defending in the High Heelers own half. Unforced errors and flat line running saw the girls cough up field position putting undue pressure on themselves.
Keiarna Rodwell, Katrina Brownlie and Jane Peadon were extremely solid in defence making several tags in a row and often putting their bodies on the line for some try saving tags.
Just when the girls seemed to be running out of answers it was their captain Maree Coates, sponsored by Dommo’s Shearing, that led again by example, running an extremely good line at strong pace to break through the defence to put points on the board for the girls.
Further strong runs by Sam Ingram, Kaylee Keavey, Tash Stewart and Janine Jamieson saw the girls fight hard to get back some field position, and it was unfortunate the ball went to ground as a beautifully placed ball from Chloe Hodak out wide would have definitely seen more points on the board.
It wasn’t long before the possession was turned back over and quick thinking to send it wide again with an overlap saw Abbey Ingram, sponsored by Bates Taxidermy, get over the line out wide for the High Heelers outfit.
The second half saw the girls in better field position for most of the half and the guidance of Emma Sullivan and Sue Morgan helped keep the girls composed. Forceful runs by Dana Brownlie, Kayla Jamieson and Bec Richardson forced good field position and it was again Maree Coates scoring under the black dot that put the girls 14-0 in front.
The Eden girls never gave up, relentless in attack and put points on the board with quick hands to score out wide. The final score ended 14-4 to the High Heelers.
The girls’ response after the game, “we continue to develop as a team together, a tough win today, but a good one to highlight some weak areas in our game to continue to build on”.
Players Player awarded by the players went to Maree Coates for controlling most facets of the game. Three points from coach and playing staff was shared between Maree Coates as mentioned above and Tash Stewart for her solid defence and inspiring line running, two points to Sam Ingram for her strong line running and clinging defence and one point to Trina Brownlie for her solid and ever reliable tagging efforts.
First Grade
In the first grade match it proved an exciting start for the Bombala team, with the score locked at 6-6 most of the first half. Jackson Standen, sponsored by John and Andy Murdoch, muscled his way over the black dot to put the first points on the board for the Heelers this season.
From here it was anyone’s game. However defence again proved vital to the boy’s game as unforced errors marred their attacking efforts.
The addition of Chris Anderson to the team was certainly a positive, his solid defence was an asset to the team but he was unfortunately sidelined with injury just before half time.
The defensive task proved too hard for the Bombala boys and Eden ran in three unanswered tries before the break.
In the second half Andrew Anderson was impressive for Bombala not only in defence but making solid runs to gain much needed metres. Brett Hodak, Raymond Kading, Paul Perkins and Joe Bobbin continued to show solid defensive efforts, but it was Daniel Douch as the standout defender on the right hand wind making multiple try saving tackles putting his body on the line for his team.
The momentum seemed to continue to shift away from the travelling team in the second half and a send-off offence that left the Bombala boys playing one man down certainly did not help their cause.
The Bombala team then opened up to concede an onslaught of tries in the second half. The end score ended 6-58 to the home team, leaving the Bombala boys out on their feet and going back to the drawing board to continue to build on their efforts.
The Bombala boys admit the scoreboard did not reflect their efforts, feeling they continue to improve and are confident as they continue to gel as a team with training and more game time the ‘click’ will come.
Players Player awarded by team mates went to Daniel Douch for his gutsy defence, with Daniel also picking up 3 points from the coach, 2 points went to Jackson Standen for his ever reliable efforts across the park, and 1 point was shared between Brett Hodak and Andrew Anderson for their solid runs and reliable defence.
The teams welcome the break over Easter to re-group and look forward to their first home game of the season against Bega on Sunday, April 12 at the Bombala Showground. Please take the time to come on down to the fields and get behind these two gutsy teams, the Bombala & District Rugby League Club then welcomes you all back with the teams after the games to the Bombala RSL Club for match debrief and presentation after the games.
Bombala District Rugby League Football Club again would like to thank their sponsors; Bombala RSL Club, Peter Caldwell Building Supplies, Ron Milliner Earthmoving, RAW Strength Bombala, Dongwah, Bob Stewart, Our Local IGA, Pat Lomas and Imperial Hotel Bombala.
Don’t forget the home game against Bega on Sunday afternoon, April 12 at the Bombala Showground! Check out the Bombala District Football facebook page for more.