The High Heelers would take on the Eden Tigers, extremely hungry for the win to secure the minor premiership for the year. As the game kicked off the High Heelers were put under early pressure, forced to defend their own line. But to their credit they never faulted, with crisp tagging efforts from Lucy Sellers, Sue Morgan and Georgie Clarke the Tigers were held out.

Only moments later, the structure and discipline of the High Heelers team would see them shift the ball wide to the left, allowing Tash Stewart to find space. Tash would stride away beating numerous defenders to score under the posts.

Half way through the first half it was Captain Patrice Clear who would show fancy footwork and speed to slip through the defensive line and secure further points for the Heelers. At 10-0 with just 2 minutes until half time Monique Ingram would set up a play to the left where numbers were favourable, allowing Janine Jamieson to weave through defenders and score out wide.

The score at half time was 14-0. From the kick off after half time, the tempo of the game seemed to increase with each team feeling the pressure and passion that is football. Various penalties were given away by both teams as the game was becoming more physical.

Makayla Standen was fantastic making numerous tags in a row, as was Chloe Murphy and Keiarna Rodwell.

Emma Sullivan, Kristy Nichols and Kayley Keavey were solid in the middle, often able to break the line and make valuable metres for the girls.

Trina Brownlie and Jade Crouch proved solid both out wide and up the middle rucking the ball up safely. Again it was the fearless captain always leading by example who was able to streak away from defenders, Patrice Clear broke the line to score her second for the day.

As the High Heelers began to find their rhythm, they showed the skills and teamwork that has them on top of the leader-board.

Again the combination of Monique Ingram and Tash Stewart was too hard for the Tigers to shut down and a perfectly placed ball from Tash found the hands of Amy Stone out wide who would finish off the play nicely. Two minutes later, from the kick off Tash Stewart would again find space, darting through defenders, she steamed away to score her second of the day.

Not to be outdone Amy Stone would score a brilliant individual try to bag her second of the day also. With Annie McGrath able to convert the final score would end up a convincing win to the High Heelers 34-0, and would earn them the 2016 minor premiership, a fantastic feat for this relatively new side of dedicated ladies, some playing tag for the first time ever this year.

Players Player this week was awarded to Amy Stone (sponsored by Bibbenluke Stockhorse Stud), 3 points went to Patrice Clear (sponsored by Clear Cut Electrical & Rural Services), 2 points went to Lucy Sellers (sponsored by Bendoc Park Poll Herefords) and 1 point shared between Monique Ingram (sponsored by Fortitude Physiotherapy) and Keiarna Rodwell (sponsored by Rodwell Haulage & Plant Hire).

The Bombala Reserve Grade team took the field against the Bermagui-Cobargo Reserve grade team, determined to cement their position in the top three on the leader-board.

The first 40 minutes of football would be fairly evenly matched with big defensive efforts from Alex Rosten, Kurt Lomas and James Coates. It was Ben Mooney who would muscle his way over early to score points, but Bermagui-Cobargo would hit back minutes later.

Pat Gaudie was instrumental in directing the players across the park as was Mick Sullivan. Jackson Standen would eventually go over in the 21st minute to put the Bombala team back in front 12-6. The score would remain 12-6 for the next 20 minutes going into half time.

The first 10 minutes of footy in the second half time was evenly matched also, requiring try saving tackles from Ben Mooney and Alex Rosten.

Eventually Ben would score number two for the day. Mick Sullivan provided some fantastic support play as the likes of Paul Gimbert and Chris Halligan would bust open numerous tackles, able to find the offload.

Sam Sten would score in the 57th minute muscling his way over. With Bermagui-Cobargo able to hit back only minutes later the score would be 22-12 in Bombala’s favour with still 19 minutes of football to go.

However it would be Ben Mooney who would score his hat trick third try of the day for Bombala, taking the score to 26-12 which would be the eventual final score.

The Bombala Blue Heelers Reserve Grade Team now secure third place on the leader board and cement their place in the finals.

It is a credit to this team and their coach Clay Stewart on a tremendous season so far, initially questioned by the group as to having sufficient numbers, this team has well and truly proved all doubters wrong with thriving numbers of dedicated, talented Reggie’s players.

Players Player and 3 points went to Paul Gimbert (sponsored by Village Ford). 2 points went to Ben Mooney (sponsored by MK Walcott & Association) and 1 point went to Pat Gaudie (sponsored by Brownlie Bros Shearing).

Knowing that this would be the final game for the Bombala first grade team, leaving their run too late on the leader board to make finals, the boys were determined to finish the comp on a high against the Eden Tigers.

WhileEden scored early first points, it was a fancy play of football that saw Bailey Jones make a fantastic break running through the defensive line, he had Joe Bobbin in support out wide who he was able to link up with, as Joe took the defenders on he was able to flick back an inside pass to Bailey who would score for the Heelers.

Just five minutes later Paul Perkins would take his infamous scoot from dummy half, too strong for the defensive line he would find the line just left of the posts.

It was Joe Bobbin involved again taking the ball from dummy half himself, running hard to break the defensive line and score out wide.

At 14-6, 20 minutes in, Bombala was looking comfortable. However Eden were not about to lay down and they would hit back through two quick tries in the next 15 minutes which would see Eden sneak in front 16-14.

However in the 40th minute Paul Perkins and Brett Hodak would eventually link up close to the line and the defenders could not stop Brett from muscling his way over. Bombala would snatch back the lead 20-16 at half time.

Coming out of the sheds from half time, the boys were invigorated by the half time chats, pointing out this is it for the season and instructed not to leave anything in the tank. And that they did.

Eden would not score again and Bombala would go on to win the game convincingly. Paul Perkins would display quick fancy footwork to link up with Pat Gaudie who would score 9 minutes into the second half.

Mal Stone was instrumental in defence, never faltering and always putting his hand up to ruck the ball up. Murray Jackson was heavily involved yet again, rucking the ball up with complete brute strength.

Joe Bobbin would eventually score another two tries linking up with both Paul Perkins and Tyler Jones, to take out a hat trick in his last game as captain/coach of his home side.

And a fitting end to the scoring was from Fijian Sami Bulnimasi linking up with Paul Perkins to crash over in the corner. The final score ended 38-16.

Players Player and 3 points went to Paul Perkins (sponsored by MCH Welding) seeming to have a hand in most plays of the game, not only instrumental in setting up for points and scoring them himself, but always solid in defence and directing the players around the field. Two points went to Tyler Jones (sponsored by H & D Jones) who as one of the youngest on the team has stepped up to the task every game in his role in at the halves, not only directing play but consistently breaking the line scoring points and gaining valuable metres for the Heelers.

One point went to Murray Jackson (sponsored by P & B Joseph) who has proved very consistent with an extremely high work rate, constantly involved in the play and instrumental in gaining metres for his team.

As the boys finally began seeing consistency in their player line up, on the back of injuries, it is a great shame that they could not make finals as they really have proved they are a force to be reckoned with in this group 16 comp.

The Bombala first grade team this year has beaten three of the top five teams making the finals, proving how close this comp is and also showing just how far this team has come in just two seasons since reforming, it is a credit to the dedicated bunch of lads and their captain/coach Joe Bobbin.

The club would formally like to recognise and thank Joe and his first grade team for all of their efforts this season, you have done both your club and town proud.

Moving into the finals, The High Heelers get a well-earned break this weekend going into the major semi-final at Moruya the following week.

The Bombala Reserve Grade team will play this weekend against second placed Moruya, at Bega on Sunday, July 31. The Bombala District RLFC strongly encourages as many supporters as possible to get to Bega on Sunday and cheer along our very own Reserve Grade team.

The club would also like to acknowledge their major sponsor the Bombala RSL Club for their continued support throughout the season, without your support providing such talented football teams would not be possible.