Bombala hosted the Bay Tigers for round eight of Group 16 rugby league, with strong wins in two of the day’s three games.

It was always going to be a tough ask for the Bay taking the field in first grade with many players backing up from reserves.

The Heelers dominated right from the get go, running in a massive 12 unanswered tries before half time taking them into the sheds with a whopping lead 66-0.

Sami Buinmasi scored two tries as he backed up Wame Belolevu extremely well, while Joe Bobbin scored a hat trick by busting open the defence to find space and streak away to score.

Paul Perkins was able to find the line as he darted from dummy half opening the defence up and Alex Rosten scored a double with his pace too good for the Bay boys.

Tyler and Bailey Jones as well as Zac Slater would also get their own four pointers with speed to burn. Jackson Standen burst open the defensive line on many occasions and also managed to find the score-line on one occasion.

Adam Rodwell caused a lot of damage returning the ball with great force and pace, while Blake Robinson was again instrumental in directing the team around the field.

The Bay side, depleted of its usual first grade attack, opted to retire at half time, leaving the score at 66-0 in the home team’s favour.

Players player and 3 points went to Jackson Standen (sponsored by W & W Hampshire Plumbing), 2 points went to Paul Perkins ( sponsored by MCH Welding  & Engineering) and 1 point went to Bailey Jones (sponsored by The Delegate Hotel).

In ladies league tag, the Bombala High Heelers started off extremely well as captain Patrice Clear took the ball from the kick-off, slicing her way through the defensive line of the Tigrettes and streaking away unable to be caught.

Georgie Clarke also sped away down the sideline in the next 10 minutes claiming her own four pointer. Four minutes later Tash Stewart raced away from defenders to score out wide and Keiarna Rodwell would do similar down the right side minutes later.

The next passage of play proved tough for the Heelers as the Bay managed repeated sets up on the Heelers line. Amy Stone was pivotal in fullback saving tries. Tight defence from Abbey Kimber, Georgie Clarke and Lucy Sellars helped the girls keep the Bay out.

It was Clear again who would relieve her team mates by retrieving the ball to run away and score a length-of-the-field try just before half time, taking the score to 22-0 at the break.

In the second half the girls again started strongly with Keiarna Rodwell scoring just a minute in. Ten minutes later Monique Perkins found the line by shimmying her way through defenders.

Clear outpaced the opposition again to score a hat-trick, while Keiarna Rodwell also bagged her third before full time showing great skill to beat defenders.

Georgia Jones showed great scrambling defence out wide and Lilly Sato made the most of space gaining great metres for the home side. Makayla Standen showed great precision with her tagging and Emma Sullivan was yet again instrumental up the middle giving the team great guidance.

The Bay Tigers were able to gain points in the 43rd minute with a quick scoot from dummy half close to the Heelers line out the blind side.

The final score was 42-4 in a solid win to the Heelers. Players player and 3 points went to Captain Patrice Clear (sponsored by Clear Cut Electrical & Rural Services), 2 points went to Keiarna Rodwell (sponsored by Rodwell Haulage and Plant Hire) 1 point went to Monique Perkins (sponsored by Fortitude Physiotherapy).    

With good numbers taking the field in reserve grade the Bombala lads started strong with captain coach Korie Elton leading the way, bursting his way through defenders to score first points.

Five minutes later Pat Gaudie evaded defenders to bag his own four-pointer.

At 10-0 and 23 minutes, in the Heelers were looking good. However the Bay fought back scoring two converted tries of their own before the break.

After the break the Bay started with the momentum they left with, scoring another two tries within 10 minutes.

Mitch Lynch provided great go-forward for the Heelers and showed great ability in defence. Johnny McKenzie was instrumental with his ball skills and pace out in the centres. Tom Eccels made some great try saving tackles as did Andrew Platts. 

It would eventually be Korie Elton again who would gain further points for the Heelers to help close the gap on the scoreboard. Bombala’s Aaron Stewart also found the line but with the visitors scoring a further three tries, the Bay Tigers took the win 34-18.

Players player and 3 points went to Johnny McKenzie, 2 points went to Mitch Lynch and 1 point went to Aaron Stewart.

This weekend, the three Bombala teams will travel to Bega on Saturday, June 3, to take on the Bega Roosters and Chicks where it is expected first grade will be played under lights.

The club encourages as many supporters as possible to trek down the mountain to help cheer the teams on in what promises to be a tough battle across all three grades.

Thank you to all the sponsors who help support the club, especially the Bombala RSL club.