Bombala Blue Heelers first grade
On Sunday all three Bombala Heeler grades made the trek up the coast to take on the Moruya Sharks in round two of the group 16 Rugby League competition.
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First Grade kicked off at 2.30pm with the Moruya Sharks gaining early points on the Heelers.
With four tries scored by the Sharks, the Blue Heelers had a tough task ahead of them.
A lengthy kick off by Paul Perkins set up some great field position for the Heelers.
It was then the fantastic combination of Nic Rosten and Jo Bobbin that got the Heelers on the board. Bobbin’s try was converted by Andrew Guthrie to get the score to 22-6.
Moruya found the line again before being met with a well planned and executed Heelers move on the line with Tyler Jones at half, to get Brett ‘the powerhouse’ Hodak a try just to the right of the posts.
Guthrie again converted the try to push the score to 28-12.
Continued strong performances by Nic Rosten and Luke Ingram in defence, had the Sharks in two minds.
Malcolm Stone made a dominating tackle on a runaway winger to save a try, although the Sharks managed to put another player over the line.
Half time score was 34-12.
With a big chase on the hands of the Heelers, the boys came out fired up. A good ball pickup by Murray Jackson and great kick-chase by Tyler Jones gave the boys some good field position.
However lapses in defence let the Sharks in again.
A huge effort from ‘pocket rocket’ Daniel Douch got the Heelers a handy penalty in their defensive end.
The Sharks continued with a strong campaign and the Group 16 reigning champs managed to run out the score to 60-12 against a persistent Blue Heelers outfit.
Players player and three points for the Heelers went to Malcolm Stone with his solid work ethic, 2 points to hard working Chris Anderson and 1 point to ‘the powerhouse’ Brett Hodak.
Another physical week of training for all three teams is in store before next Saturday’s games to be played against Merimbula/Pambula and Candelo/Bemboka at Bemboka. A big thank you must go to the League-Safe runners and sports trainers for looking after the players on and off the field on Sunday.
The Bombala District RLFC would also like to thank all the supporters who made the journey up to Moruya to support the tjree Bombala teams and the ongoing support from the Bombala RSL club is duly noted. The club encourages everyone to make the trip to Bemboka on Saturday where the ladies will play two games and both Reserve Grade and First grade will hit out again.
Bombala High Heelers
Ladies League Tag kicked off at 12noon with some players taking the paddock for the Bombala High Heelers for the first time. The match-up against the two sides was even in the first 10 minutes with completed sets and field position kicks taken by both sides.
The defence was tight from both teams.
It took until the 12th minute for Tash Stewart to scoop up a loose ball and run the full length of the field to put first points on the board. This lifted the High Heelers spirits and opened the door for the rest of the game.
Great running from Chloe Murphy and Georgie Clarke gave the High Heelers prime field position.
Defence by Jessie Adams, Trina Brownlie and Kristy Nichols was fearsome. With another 10 minutes of back and forth, it was the captain showing the way with a classy try to Patrice Clear.
Continued efforts by Abbey Kimber and Monique Ingram with setting up structured moves, the girls were looking comfortable on the field.
Accolades go to the kicking prowess of Kayley Keavey and Keiarna Rodwell for gaining optimal field position going into halftime. Captain, Patrice Clear was pivotal in organising Keiarna Rodwell in for a try after five minutes in the second half.
Emma Sullivan, Makalya Standen and Sue Morgan continued to get the High Heelers on the front foot, making some great hit ups down the field.
Tanika Hampshire, Rosie Gillespie-Jones and Katie Piesley kept up the constructive talk in the middle, while Jane Peadon, Janine Jamieson and Amy Stone made strong runs in the line.
With great hands on the left side, Tash Stewart was again too quick for the Moruya defence and scored out wide.
Kristy Nichols stepped up the talk in defence and once back in possession of the ball, Kayley Keavey ran through the middle of the defence to score next to the posts.
Kayley then converted her own try to round out the game at a convincing 22-0 win to the High Heelers. Players player went to try scoring double Tash Stewart, 3 points to the fearsome leader Patrice Clear, 2 points to tough defender Georgie Clarke and 1 point to elusive attacker Abbey Kimber.
Reserve Grade
Reserve Grade had a tough hit out on the program. Early points were scored by Moruya putting the Blue Heelers behind from the beginning.
Defence was the main point for the Heelers to focus on, Richard Stewart, Pat Gaudie and Bailey Jones putting their bodies on the line.
Strong attacking sets by Clay Stewart, Mick Sullivan and Kurt Lomas had the Heelers running hard and palming defenders with ease.
Half time saw the score in Moruya’s favour at 26-0. The Heelers stood strong early in the second half, try saving tackles from Alex Rosten and Bailey Jones held the Sharks at bay. Some miscommunication in defence shortly after gave the Sharks a try out wide.
It wasn’t until the 20th minute of the second half that the Heelers really tested the line defence of the Sharks and Joel Cherry busted over the try line for the first points for the Heelers of the game.
Passionate Bombala supporters offered plenty of advice from the sideline.
Speed and strength saw the Moruya Sharks score another two tries before the full-time hooter finishing the score at 36-4.
Three points went to Paul Gimbert, 2 points to Joel Cherry and 1 point to Warren Martin.