“What a great way to finish with a mini carnival in Tathra that saw this little team of boys play three hard games.

“Each little player stepped up and showed what they have to offer each and every time.

“It's a real shame that the season is over because the boys are really getting it together and playing like a real little team.

“I would like to thank Joey, Cody, Caleb, Connor, Blake, Torin, Mitchell, Ashton and Henry for showing up each week and playing with such guts and giving it their all.

“I hope you all come back next year where we can only get better and stronger,” she said.

Coach for the Bombala Junior Rugby U8s, Rollie Skellern said it was a huge day for the U8s on Saturday at the Tathra Carnival.

“With three games ahead of them and the last round of the season, the U8s left nothing in their fuel tanks. “Throughout the day there wasn't one player on the field that didn’t participate and make an impact.

“Zara Brotherton and Keira Chamberlain controlled the play in the ball area as well as taking the ball up throughout the whole three games.

“Jake Brown and Freddie Merritt gained valuable metres all day with their brute strength.

“Ruby Smith and Gracie Brownlie also showed their class with some great hit ups and some awesome solo tries.

“Tanner Hurley who has had an outstanding first year of footy showed off her fancy foot work and try saving defence and managed to bag a hat trick try for the day.

“Josh Tellis defended all day while Max Power showed his never say die runs scoring a great individual try. “Ari Sten once again showed us why he is the ‘wrecking ball’ with bone crunching tackles all day and was rewarded with a couple a really good tries.

“This week's milo man of the match goes to a quiet young fella who saved his best game for last.

“The young man made some great hit ups all day and showed some fast pace and was very unlucky not to bag a try only falling short inches off the try line.

“Well done Liam Strickland.  

“A big thank you goes to Ben Brotherton for your help on game days and a big thank you to all the parents that travelled each weekend to bring their kids to the games so I had a job to do,” coach Skellern said.

Coach of the Bombala Junior Rugby U9s team, Drew Manning said the junior Heelers stepped up on Saturday and gave a truly spectacular performance for the last game of the year.

“It is just unbelievable how this little team has managed to improve each week and just get better and better.

“It’s just not possible in this group of players to pick outstanding players each week as everyone continues to push to get better.

“At the Tathra Mini Carnival on the weekend when matched against the top side Narooma they really showed the raw talent they have and stayed strong throughout the game.

“Narooma have some very big, fast and well drilled players but it was great to see that the Blue Heelers make their tackles and make sure that Narooma just didn’t walk all over them.

“It was a great way to finish the season.

“It is with this in mind that I take this opportunity to thank all the parents and friends of the U9s for making the effort each week to get to training and to the games.

“Also a special thanks to Des Peisley for his huge effort and assistance with this mighty group of U9s this year,” coach Manning said.

The Bombala Pink Heelers tag team coach Emma Sullivan said the ever improving Bombala Pink Heelers competed in their last game for 2016 against Eden.

“The girls were coming off a bye and consequently took a long time to work themselves into the game. “Their timings were a little out which meant their attack was stilted at times and many tags were missed. “Eden have a very experienced team and took advantage of everything that came their way,” she said.

“The score line blew out in the end, but it certainly wasn't a reflection of the effort the Bombala girls put in. “This team has improved out of sight this year, always willing to listen to feedback to improve their game.  “Their enthusiasm, commitment and sportsmanship is impressive and means they will continue to trouble many of the other teams in 2017.

“Well done girls, we are all so proud of your efforts,” coach Sullivan said.

Bombala Junior Rugby U12s coach Damien Smith said he U12s were warmed up ready for a hard game to finish the season but it just didn’t work out this week.

“The Eden U12s have a really strong forward pack and some boys are at least a head high taller than most of the Blue Heelers.

“The Heelers didn’t let this put them off they put up a hard fight with the end score being 30 to 20 with Eden taking the win although it definitely was not an easy win for them.

“The U12s held on till the end,” coach Smith said.

“There were some really solid runs and the team seem to be working well together to make some hard tackles.

Both Jack’s, Jack Ventry and Jack Sullivan scored tries and played really solid games.

“This is also a team that seems to be building momentum at the wrong end of the season they needed this strength at the start of the year.

“Well done team hope to see you next year,” he said.

U14s coach Sam Stein said that he was proud of every boy that played in the U14s this year.

“At the start of the season we were greeted with 17 super keen and eager young guys ready to give it a crack,  many of them never having played competition football before.

“They listened and followed instructions, were supportive of one another and were a very ‘coachable’ team and an all-round awesome group of boys.

“They have grown in confidence, skills and in their knowledge of the game structure.  

“A force to be reckoned with in 2017.

“Congratulations to the boys for a good win against Tathra last week,” coach Stein said.

Points for that game were: three to Bryson Phillips-Jones, two to Rowan Keavey and one to Blake Baldwin.

This week the boys played the Eden tigers in Eden.

The Tigers were first to put points on the board, shortly followed by Blake Baldwin with a powerful run backline run.  

More tries were scored by Reagan Hurley and a lovely try to Russell Jamieson after the backs spread the ball wide.  

Baidon Sten converted two from four attempts.

The boys narrowly lost 22-20.

Points this week went to: three to Blake Baldwin for his great defence and huge runs.

Two to Reagan Hurley for his outstanding defence and great infield direction and leadership

One to Bryson Phillips jones for his phenomenal line breaks and defence.

Special thanks to Keiran for volunteering to help coach.  

Thanks to all the strappers, trainers, waterboys for your help.  Also, to all the parents who help with the washing of jumpers and drink bottles.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what these guys can achieve next year,” coach Stein said.

Milo Player of the match sponsored by Southern Highland Contracting and Food Works.

Special thank you to all the 2016 season sponsors which includes the following: “Corella” Merino Stud, D & M Automotive, Nerida Manning Podiatrist, Linga Longa, Franks Butchery, Bruce’s Earthmoving, Glenavon Pastoral Co., JD Interstate Transport, Food Works, Bendoc Poll Herefords, Bombala Cycles & Chainsaws, T & J Murphy’s Transport, Envy Industries , Talbot Transport, G& R Brownlie Shearing, IGA Bombala, Guthrie Construction, D & L High Country Earthworks, Damton Farming,  MCH Welding, Southern Highland Contracting, Jamieson Bros, Bombala RSL Club, Hands on Bitz & Pizza, Platypus Crush Repairs, R’N’R Massage Clinic, Bombala Bakery, Raw Strength and Palarang Meats.