ON Sunday, July 26 the Bombala High Heeler ladies league tag team travelled down the hill for the Qualifying Final against the Bega Chicks.
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From the kick off, the High Heelers started strong, gaining great field position early. An early penalty 10m out to the Heelers saw them opt for the two points. Maree Coates slotted the two pointer and the Heelers were in front.
Further strong sets in defence by Lucy Sellers and Chloe Hodak meant that the Bega girls found it hard to break the Heelers’ line. It was a penalty again that led to further points this time in the Chick’s favour. A successful kick from in front meant the scores were locked back up again at 2 all.
A quick thinking blind side move between Lucy Sellers and Monique Ingram caught the Bega girls unaware but were shut down just inches from their line. Tash Stewart had a great running game often making great metres for the Bombala team.
The direction and kicking game of Maree Coates kept turning the Chicks around. Keiarna Rodwell was instrumental in her tagging efforts and strong line running. Scramble defence after a Chick’s break before half time was a credit to the Heelers who held their composure.
Kaylee Keavey remained solid under the high ball, she proved a very safe ball retriever for the Heelers. The Heelers went into the sheds at half time with the score all locked up at 2 all.
After half time the Bega Chicks found themselves in good field possession and it was another penalty in front that saw them take the lead slotting another 2 pointer in front.
The Heelers determined not to drop their heads, began running the ball back with great intensity through Sam Ingram and Jane Peadon. Janine Jamieson impressed with her solid take under the high ball and her urgency to dive on loose balls. However it was yet another penalty from in front that saw the Bega girls slot another 2 points to take the score to 6-2.
With both teams passionate about the game, tempers began to flare and it was a Bega Chick who cracked under the pressure landing herself with 10 minutes in the bin. The Heelers were determined to capitalise on the over-lap.
It was a well-constructed set by the Heelers, pushing the ball out wide early and then bringing back across to the opposite side and the final ball from Monique Ingram to Tash Stewart saw Stewart fire across the line to score for the Heelers. With the score all locked up at again at 6 all the pressure continued to build in the tightly contested match.
Simple unforced errors then saw the Heelers suddenly put extra pressure on themselves and the Chicks made them pay for it. Capitalising on unmarked inside balls, the Heelers were caught short on numerous occasions allowing the Chicks to gain good field possession and it was through quick hands they got it wide to a steaming Bega player who went over to score for the Chicks.
The score now 10-6 with around 10minutes left meant it was not all over yet for the Heelers.
The girls worked hard in defence but again a lapse in behind the ruck saw Bega turn the ball inside and they capitalised with a try under the black dot to conceal the win.
A gutsy effort by the newly formed Bombala High Heeler ladies but it wasn’t to be and the final score came to 16-6 in the Chicks favour.
Three points awarded from the crowd went to Keiarna Rodwell (sponsored by Rodwell Haulage and Plant Hire) for her tenacity in defence and ability to straighten up and run hard in attack. Two points went to Maree Coates (Sponsored by Dommos Shearing) whose defence and kicking game were an invaluable asset to the Heelers, with Maree also earning herself Player’s Player. One point was shared between Monique Ingram (sponsored by Fortitude Physiotherapy) and Tash Stewart (sponsored by C&G Hood) whose combination in attack proves lethal.
The Bombala High Heelers thank all those supporters who made the trip down to cheer them on. The club would like to again encourage everyone to take the time out this weekend on Saturday, August 1 to travel to Eden to cheer the girls on in the do-or-die semi against the Cooma Fillies in what is likely to be an earlier time slot.
Again the Bombala & District Football Club thanks the sponsors who have allowed the local girls to get this far into the season including Bombala RSL Club, Caldwell Building & Contracting Pty Ltd, Ron Milliner Earthmoving, RAW Strength Bombala, Dongwah, Bob Stewart, Our Local IGA, Pat Lomas and Imperial Hotel Bombala.