ON Sunday, April 26 the Bombala District Football Club hosted their second home game for this season, kicking off Round 5 against Narooma. In the days leading up Bombala had experienced a lot of rain, however this did not put the teams off playing and the weekend games went ahead.
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The day was overcast and gloomy but the spirit of both teams shone through, with a modest crowd cheering them on.
The end scores were not favourable to the home side; this was no reflection however on how the games were played.
Ladies League Tag
Both teams started the first half off rather measured, testing out the field to see how it was going to best play for each team. It wasn’t long before the high heelers found some ground with Maree Coates making a break through the Narooma She-Devils line.
Even in the wet the chase for the ball was on, Jane Peadon, Dana Brownlie and Abbey Ingram putting in some early hard yards. Snatching the tags in the slippery cold conditions was hard but Tash Stewart and Kayla Jamieson made it look easy keeping Narooma from scoring.
Unfortunately Narooma scored half way through the first half putting the first points on the score board, but in no time Monique Ingram (sponsored by Fortitude Physiotherapy) responded by putting the ball over the line with the help of a sharply placed ball from Tash Stewart.
The ladies kept the positive talk going even though they were running into the wind, which had started to pick up. Sue Morgan, Lucy Sellers and Sam Ingram kept the defence strong, with Narooma attacking their goal line that wasn’t easy.
There was eventually a fumble of the ball from Bombala however Narooma’s attack saw a kick with the ball sailing over the dead ball line. This was the fresh start the High Heelers needed to get their breath back, not to mention the ball.
With Tash Stewart and Maree Coates set up for a play it was the pass to Kayley Keavey on the wing that saw her take off like a rocket. Tagged not far from the line, Monique Ingram took the ball to the right hand side throwing a floating cut out pass to Kayla Jamieson (sponsored by D&L High Country Earthworks) on the wing seeing her go over the line for more points for the Heeler girls.
The hooter sounded shortly after indicating half time, with the score at a close 8-6 in the High Heelers’ favour.
Back from the sheds, and with the wind at their backs, the ladies were ready to take on anything. Great attack from Jane Peadon, Janine Jamieson and Chloe Hodak pushed the Narooma girls back into their own half.
Throughout the second half possession was fairly even between the sides under these wet cold conditions, play turn overs and a couple of penalties kept the crowd excited as the High Heelers took turns with Narooma to attack and defend.
However it wasn’t to be the High Heelers’ weekend, with Narooma girls slipping through the hands of Bombala’s defence to allow three more tries to the Narooma team in the second half. The score at full time ended as 22-8 to the Narooma She-Devils.
Three points awarded from the crowd went to Monique Ingram for her solid defence and direction across the park, two points went to Jane Peadon for her firing tags and hard line running, one point went to Abbey Ingram for her solid running efforts making much needed meters for the Bombala team.
The Players Player awarded from the players went to Jane Peadon for the effort mentioned above.
First Grade
With determination on their faces, the lads joined Narooma Devils on the cold and wet field, with both teams hoping that the game would go quickly and injury free.
Jackson Standon started the attack off early with Paul Perkins and Brett Hodak following suit, making some good ground under the Narooma defence. Daniel Douch, Charlie Lomas and Toby Morgan covering the wings and back line well Narooma found it tough to get through their defence.
Matt Stone and Rhys Crouch tackled hard making sure the Devils did not find a hole to get through. As expected in wet slippery conditions the ball would occasionally come loose creating a mad scramble for the ball.
Despite the early attack, Narooma found the line four times in the first half, they had given the Heelers a score to chase in the second half.
With a rest at half time, the Heelers started the second half with the wind on their backs. Not long into the half Bombala was given advantage play when the ball didn’t find touch for Narooma. Play started and the ball was given to Brett Hodak (sponsored by Final Touches) who found a gap in the defence score for Bombala to put the first points on the board. Jackson Standon converted Brett’s try, confirming the score at 22-6.
Chris and Andrew Anderson were tackle machines and this sibling combination in at the halves seemed to work a treat, keeping the Heelers’ defence strong and the talk positive when attacking proved to be exactly what the Heelers needed.
The next play was one of the most exciting of the game. The heelers attack was on their way to the Narooma line, with Chris Anderson running toward the wing he was passed the ball and ran into the Narooma defence who tackled him over the tryline. The crowd were on their feet trying to see what the referee’s call would be. As Chris (sponsored by Foodworks) climbed out with a fist pump in the air, the ref awarded the Heelers a try. Narrowing the score to 22-10.
With only two converted tries down the Bombala lads could see the momentum shifting, however it was Narooma who scored next sure to put the game just out of the home teams grasp. The never say die attitude of the boys was to be commended and it was seconds before the full time hooter that they were in again via Andrew Anderson (sponsored by Platypus Crash Repairs) bringing the final score to 26-14.
Three points and Players Player was awarded to Chris Anderson who stood up in every aspect of the game, two points went to his brother Andrew Anderson whose direction on the field has become a real asset to the team and one point awarded to the work horse Brett Hodak who continues to make vital metres for the team.
The Bombala & District Rugby League Football Club would like to thank everyone that came to support the High Heelers and Blue Heelers, enduring the wet and cold conditions; just a taste of what is to come heading into the season and the winter months!
Bombala District Rugby League Football Club again would like to thank their sponsors; Bombala RSL Club, Caldwell Building and Contracting Pty Ltd, Ron Milliner Earthmoving, RAW Strength & Fitness Bombala, Dongwah, Bob Stewart, Our Local IGA, Pat Lomas and Imperial Hotel Bombala.
Next weekend sees all Group 16 teams having the bye round, with Bombala’s next games set for Sunday, May 10 against the Cooma Stallions and Fillies at Cooma in what is sure to be a highly entertaining afternoon of footy. See you all there!