The icy conditions on Saturday did not stop the Bombala & District Rugby League Club from hosting a fantastic day of football against the Bega club including the first grades ‘Heritage Round’.
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The players were presented their jerseys from the former 1991 premiership winning team and continued on to play in the former style jerseys with great pride.
The club also took part in the fundraising event for ‘Women in League’ with the women and junior girls all donning pink ‘Women in League’ socks.
Ladies League Tag
The Bombala ladies braved the cold conditions to battle it out against the strong former premier team the Bega Chicks. The scores were locked for much of the first half as the defence from both teams proved extremely solid. It was an eventual penalty kick to the Bega chicks’ right in front of the sticks that landed them first points. Not letting this deter the confidence of the home team, the High Heelers would soon hit back starting from an 80m sprint by Tash Stewart who would be denied points just shy of the line, however a quick play the ball would see Keiarna Rodwell steam roll through the defence unable to be tagged. The 4-pointer put the girls in front 4-2 in the 23rd minute.
This momentum would continue and not long after the kick off it would be off a precision ball from Emma Sullivan (sponsored by DF & D Stewart) that Keiarna would hit a fantastic hole and duck and weave through defenders to bag her second try for the day. After Bega again received a penalty in front of the sticks just on half time, the kick would be waved away and it was the High Heelers leading 10-2 at half time.
With the wind at their backs in the second half the Heelers were extremely keen to take the win convincingly. Georgie Clarke mastered a beautiful set play to put Annie McGrath (sponsored by Hands on Bitz & Pizzas Bombala) in to score 10 minutes into the second half, with Annie converting the score was 16-2 the Heelers looked comfortable.
However it may have been this sense of comfort that led to a series of uncharacteristic errors, constantly handing possession back to the Bega team. Keeping the crowd on their feet as the High Heelers kept up their gruelling defence, the pressure ended up too much and the Chicks capitalized twice to take the score to a close 12-16. However the relentless defence particularly from captain Patrice Clear, Tash Stewart and Lucy Sellers, would ensure the High Heelers would end up victorious at 12-16.
Player’s Player and 3 points went to Keiarna Rodwell (sponsored by Rodwell Haulage & Plant Hire), 2 points went to Tash Stewart (sponsored by Raw Strength & Fitness) and 1 point went to Patrice Clear (sponsored by Clear Cut Electrical & Rural Services).
Reserve Grade
The Blue Heelers Reserve Grade Team had the tough task of taking on leaders of the ladder the Bega Roosters and without their devoted captain-coach Clay Stewart this would be a tough ask. Solid defensive efforts from Pat Goudie, Clay Clear and Sam Sten were notable but it wasn’t enough to keep the well-oiled Bega team from scoring. By halftime the away side led 26-0.
The momentum wouldn’t change much into the second half, injuries to new recruit Ben Mooney did not help the Heelers chances. Mick Sullivan stepped up and was unlucky not to score his own try being shut down just metres shy of the line. Chris Halligan again proved tough to handle in attack but was still contained to deny points.
The final score ended up a convincing win to the Roosters 44-0. Player’s player went to Pat Gaudie, 3 points went to Sam Sten, 2 points went to Chris Halligan (sponsored by Village Ford) and 1 point went to Clay Clear (sponsored by Clear Cut Electrical & Rural Services).
First Grade
Coming off a disappointing loss last week the Blue Heelers First Grade team were determined to prove to their devoted hometown not only have they created great depth to this team over the last 18 months but also they share a great passion and dedication to the blue and gold jersey. They would take the field without notable players such as captain coach Joe Bobbin and powerhouse Malcolm Stone but this would not deter their confidence as they would take on the classy Bega Roosters squad who sit a comfortable second on the leaderboard.
By the 12th minute Bombala had showed some dominating defence and the eventual combination of Paul Perkins in at hooker, linking up with freight-train Brett Hodak was unstoppable and the home team would score under the black dot. At 6-0, it would then be the Bega team who would take great advantage of field possession to send the ball wide quickly and land points out wide. By the 18th minute the score was 6-4.
The next 20 minutes would see gruelling defensive efforts from both teams, particularly Brett Hodak and brothers Andrew and Chris Anderson. Bailey Jones proved extremely safe in at fullback retrieving highballs and running them back with sheer determination.
An onslaught from the Bega attack and well executed kicks meant Bombala had to defend back to back sets on their line and eventually the Bega team would penetrate taking the score to 10-6 in their favour with just four minutes until halftime. The Bombala boys however were not done yet and did not drop their heads, instead Paul Perkins capitalised on another great run from Brett Hodak. Perkins had the awareness to catch the defence napping, scooting from dummy half to plant the ball under the black dot just seconds from the half time bell sounding. The Heelers would take to the sheds at halftime on top 12-10.
After the break the Bombala boys would start off just as they had finished and it was the brutal line running of Wame Belolevu who would tear open the defence just four minutes in and he would steam through from half way to score. He then converted his try to take the score to 18-10. Wame’s Fijian counterpart Samoni Biaukula would also show he is a force to be reckoned with muscling his way over for his own try too only four minutes later. The score would soon be 24-10 and the home team were doing exactly as they set out to do. It took Bega 12 minutes to capitalise on some good field possession to send their number 16, Blacker over the try line. However Bombala would not lose momentum, the injection of Luke Platts was notable in at the halves helping direct play well and showing some solid defence. Paul Perkins again outshined the Bega defence making a strong run from dummy half beating numerous defenders to score in-front of the home crowd.
Bailey Jones would steal a beautiful intercept ball just metres out from Bega’s try line to run an impressive 90m to score. The score by the 70th minute would be 34-16 to the home team and even the scrambling last minute efforts from the away team with two quick tries was not enough, the home team would knock off the second placed Bega Roosters, victorious at 34-26.
Players Player and 3 points was awarded to Brett Hodak (sponsored by Southern Stockyards and Fencing), 2 points were shared between Paul Perkins (sponsored by MCH Welding) and Samoni Biaukula (sponsored by Tim Stewart) and 1 point went to Luke Platts (sponsored by Bobbins Rustic Creations).
The Bombala & District RLFC would again like to thank all of those who braved the conditions to show your support for the club, and then for coming back to celebrate the win at the Bombala RSL where the club saw a huge success in the auctioning of the Heritage jerseys raising over $8000. The continued support from this little community continues to amaze. Please we welcome you all to head on up to Cooma to support your home team again next weekend for round 12, in what will be a fantastic day of football as Cooma hold their local Heritage round on Saturday, July 2.