Cooma too strong

Players and spectators were very excited for this game as the local highland Darby was sure to be a tough game played in good spirits between mates.

With the sun out and the wind howling across the field, both the High Heelers and the Blue Heelers were in for a tough afternoon.

Ladies League Tag

The ladies started their game with a friendly shake of the hands with their opponents. The fillies kicked off to the Heelers with Emma Sullivan, Monique Ingram and Lucy Sellers running the ball back well at the Cooma defensive line, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Drop balls seemed to be the Heelers’ problem in the first half, putting much undue pressure on themselves early and giving away precious field possession. Tash Stewart, Maree Coates, and Abbey Ingram tagged well in defence holding Cooma out from their line.

The ladies kept the positive talk going even though the wind made it hard for them to hear one another. Jane Peadon, Dana Brownlie and Lucy Sellars ran the ball well through the Fillies defence and never took their eye off the player with ball when they were defending.

Chloe Hodak made an impressive 10m break through the Cooma defence but to the credit of the Fillies team their back up defence soon defused the Bombala roll.

Monique Ingram and Tash Stewart put together some impressive ball combinations to give the High Heelers some much needed momentum, off loading the ball to Kaylee Keavey and Abbey Ingram gaining some good metres out wide.

With the leaves swirling around the field between the players, Janine Jamieson, Sue Morgan and Kayla Jamieson continued to tag very well in defence, but it was eventually Abbey Schofield for the Cooma Fillies, who twice found small holes in the High Heelers’ defence and ran in to score two quick tries before half time, leaving the score 8-0 to the fillies.

Second half proved to be a more well disciplined half for the Heelers with less dropped balls and better field position. Kayley Keavey took the kick from Cooma’s restart well and the game was on. Maree Coates, Keiarna Rodwell and Katrina Brownlie tagging protectively not wanting Cooma down their end of the field. A ball fumble saw a changeover and Bombala attacking Cooma’s line.

Jane Peadon (sponsored by Bibbenluke Stockhorse Stud) took an intercept and was sped away only to be tagged metres from the line. Bombala had the confidence boost they needed, attacking the line for a try. Tash Stewart (Sponsored by C&G Hood) took initiative to use her pace and take on the Cooma line, she succeeded and got over out wide to put points on the board early in the second half. With the score at 8-4 the game was anyone's and the tension continued to mount.

The rest of the game was a hard fought contest with both teams showing moments of brilliant play and both coming close to points again only to be denied just shy of the line. The defence of both teams was to be commended, with the final score in the Fillies favour of 8-4 it was a testament to the effort of all girls in such windy conditions to have such a close scoring game.

The Players Player awarded from the players went to Tash Stewart for her solid defence and her uncanny ability to put points on the board, 3 points from the crowd went to the ever reliable work horse and captain Maree Coates, whose defence is second to none, 2 points went to Chloe Hodak who tagged well up the middle and made some great line breaks and 1 point went to Lucy Sellers for her evading running making much needed metres for the girls.

First Grade

Cooma Stallions started the game off hard and fast making Bombala defend on their line in the first few minutes. But the boys worked hard in defence to keep Cooma out for the first 15-20 minutes.

Brett Hodak, Paul Perkins and Joe Bobbin all attacked the Cooma line well gaining good meters for Bombala. Jackson Standen and Daniel Douch were standout defenders working very hard to keep Cooma from scoring. However the fast paced Cooma forwards soon broke the Bombala line to score numerous tries close to the post.

With the score at 22-0 half way through first half Bombala's determination never faulted, Brett Hodak (sponsored by Final Touches) looked like he would score but ended up held up over the Cooma line.

After a barn storming run by Malcolm Stone out in the centres, deflecting players with ease, Bombala were in the field position they needed. With set plays between the brother halves combination Chris and Andrew Anderson, the ball was moved well from left to right and eventually it was Rhys Crouch (sponsored by Wendy & Julie’s Daycare) who went over to score for the Bombala team, taking the score to 22-4 at half time.

The second half started off with more tough hit ups and gruelling defence. Charlie Lomas proved his skills under the high ball were second to none, snatching the ball out of the air unsubdued by the pressure of the Cooma players.

Daniel Douch again proved his worth within the side making try saving tackles and finding gaps in the defence with his lightening pace off the mark, Daniel (sponsored by Optus Bega) was unlucky not score his own with a run away break.

The foot race between what would have to be close to Group 16s fastest players was a spectacle with the crowd becoming very vocal edging on each teams player, but it was the Cooma player able to wrap Daniel up just short of the line.

Bombala was unable to cross over for more points in the second half and Cooma eventually ran in two more unconverted tries just before full time to take the final score to 30-4. Again the Heelers showed great stamina and determination in the second half and continue to build well as a team.

Players Player went to the gutsy Daniel Douch who defends like a front rower and runs like a 100m sprinter, 3 points went to power house Malcolm Stone whose addition to the team is greatly valued, 2 points went to Charlie Lomas for his brilliant defence and safe hands and 1 point to Brett Hodak for his solid defence and ability to continually make metres for the Bombala team.

The Bombala & District Rugby League Football would like to thank everyone that came to support the High Heelers and Blue Heelers enduring the windy conditions on Mother’s Day, and would like to thank the Cooma Club for their hospitality at the presentations after the game. 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 Bombala, Dongwah, Bob Stewart, Our Local IGA, Pat Lomas and Imperial Hotel Bombala.

The club looks forward to next week’s games against Merimbula-Pambula and Candelo teams where the girls in particular will have a big day having to play two games on the one day.  

The club would like to encourage all supporters to get along to the coast to support our teams next weekend. See you at the games.