The High Heelers were out to prove their worth as table top contenders following their first loss last week. With a few key players still missing this week, the depth of this team is proving more and more valuable. A bursting run from Georgie Clarke with a classy offload to Patrice Clear would see early points to the Heelers. Janine Jamieson showed great skills running the ball back from kicks and Amy Stone was impressive out wide running great lines and support play.

However the Tigers were relentless and capitalised on getting good field possession on the back of High Heeler unforced errors. Going into the sheds at half time 6-0 the Heeler girls knew they were going to have to lift to be able to put this win away.

It was Captain Patrice Clear showing the way leading by example again, relentless in defence and somehow finding the energy to bag her second try of the day.

Tash Stewart showed great leadership stepping into the unfamiliar role of fullback given injuries and ran the ball back with great determination. Tash was able to split the defensive line to get her own try only minutes into the second half.

Chloe Murphy continued her fine form, fiercely running the ball back at the defence and always putting her body on the line to make great tags.

A classy shift of the ball to the right through the fast feet and hands of Abbey Ingram would allow Tanika Hampshire to find the line out wide, by the 40th minute the Heelers led 22-0.

However the Eden Tigers never say die attitude was admirable and the tired weary legs of the High Heeler girls couldn’t keep the Eden girls scoreless.

The final score ended 22-6 in the Heelers favour. Player’s player and three points went to Patrice Clear (sponsored by Clear Cut Electrical and Rural Services), 2 points went to Tash Stewart (sponsored by Raw Strength Bombala) and 1 point was shared between Amy Stone (sponsored by Bibbenluke Stock Horse Stud) and Chloe Murphy (sponsored by Final Touches).

The Bombala Reserve Grade team took the field against the Bermagui-Cobargo Eels and just six minutes in, the away team would put points on the board. The game was tightly contested for the next 20 minutes proving a tough battle of the forwards up the middle. The injection of James Coates in at hooker provided great experience and solid defence for the heelers up the middle, James’s talk and organisation comes as a welcoming hand to captain coach Clay Stewart. Nick Rosten’s classy footwork and powerful running would see him find the line eventually; the scores were all locked up 6-6. Matthew Stone proved vital for the Heelers go-forward lugging the ball up and gaining valuable metres for the home team. Chris Halligans ability to power through the defensive line would see him gain points in the 35th minute for the Heelers team. But not to be outdone, the Eels were able to capitalise on errors made from the kick-off and were able to hit straight back out wide taking the score to a close 12-10 in Heelers favour at half time.

After half time it would be ‘tit for tat’ on the scoreboard with Bombala scoring but then allowing the Eels to hit back. Chris Halligan would bag his second of the day and Alex Rosten showed lightening pace to run 80m to score for the Heelers. By the 60th minute the score was 24-20 in favour to the home side. However with fatigue and unforced errors, the momentum would shift away from the home team and they were unable to keep the Bermagui-Cobargo team out.

At 24-24 it was almost an impossible conversion from out wide on the sideline, however the precision kick never looked like missing and the Eels would come back to snatch victory from the home side 26-24. Player’s player and 3 points went to James Coates (sponsored by Southern Stockyards and Fencing), 2 points went to Matthew Stone and 1 point went to Nick Rosten.

With both teams keen to stamp their authority on their ladder position this game was always going to be a hotly contested one, and it did not disappoint.  Only 1 minute in Eden would score out wide showing some fierce enthusiasm. However the Bombala boys would find the line through Andrew Guthrie only 5 minutes later.  The score line kept very even throughout the first half, Charlie Lomas and Mitch Lynch would also gain points in the first half for the Heelers through great running game and safe hands, along with Wame Turaganivalu’s great conversion game the score at half time was 16-14 in the home team's favour. While the penalty count did not ever seem in the Heelers favour, it meant the home team had to lift even further if they were going to take this victory.

Joe Bobbin proved instrumental in leading and firing up his teammates up after half time. Sam Buinimasi noticeably injected himself into the game, proving almost impossible to handle for the Eden defence and showing some great pace and footwork to set up a try out wide. Tyler Jones bagged his own try showing fantastic skill in attack, while the Anderson brothers, Chris and Andrew proved they are instrumental to this team, always with reliable solid defence yet the skills to both put points on the board. Kurt Lomas had a fantastic game, proving himself as he steps up from Reserve Grade, tackling and gaining metres like he has been playing first grade for years. Another fantastic recruit from Reserve grade was Richard Stewart; his ability to shut down any attacking onslaught was admirable to watch. The Heelers did lift in the second half and they would end up taking the win with a final score-line of 34-26.

Players Player and 3 points went to Sam Buinimasi (jumper number 8 sponsored by Southern Stockyard and Fencing), 2 points was shared between Kurt Lomas (jumper number 17 sponsored by Cottrell Toyota) and Andrew Anderson (jumper number 7 sponsored by Dane Cottrell Transport) and 1 point went to Richard Stewart (jumper number 3 sponsored by Bobbin Rustic Creations).

The Bombala & District RLFC would like to thank all their major sponsors especially the Bombala RSL Club for their ongoing support and hospitality for presentations after the game. Round 8 will see the Bombala teams travel to Batemans Bay where all three grades will look to hopefully further advance their points on the ladder. A big thanks to all those who help out, cheer and travel to support these Bombala teams, see you all at the Bay.