It was another long trip up the mountain for the Narooma Devils on Sunday, as they couldn't keep up with the Bombala Blue Heelers in a 22-12 loss.
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I think our year has started well. We have got a different team with 10 new players in first grade, we're rebuilding.
- Colin Ryan, Bombala Blue Heelers Rugby League Club president.
The weather was unusually fine and warm, which was a bit of a shock to the visiting side, as was the number of new recruits Bombala had picked up.
The match was Narooma's first look at new fullback Jay Rotavisoro, who arrived from Fiji during the week.
In spite of the loss, the Devils played extremely well against last year's premiers, and took the game up to Bombala all day.
Jackson Kelly opened the scoring for the Devils with a strong running try after 13 minutes.
The Blue Heelers hit back through Alexander Rosten, before Ratu Tabalwalu scored to give Bombala a 10-6 lead.
The Devils weren't done though, as a cheeky intercept by Clyde Parsons led to a 60-metre try that gave them a 12-10 lead at the break.
The large Bombala pack proved too hard to handle in the second half, as Adam Rodwell and Tyler Jones both scored tries to seal a 10-point Blue Heelers win.
The Devils had a number of close calls in the second half, but will rue their missed chances with the football.
Bombala Blue Heelers Rugby League club president, Col Ryan said, "I think our year has started well. We have got a different team with 10 new players in first grade, we're rebuilding,"
"Stand out players on the day in first grade were Player's Player Ben Mooney, Tyler Jones, Treviata Badago and full back Alex Rosten.
In reserve grade, Narooma started the match with only 11 players, however a late arrival gave them 12.
Bombala took advantage of the extra numbers, as they found the overlap to their advantage a number of times giving them the win 56-4.
"The reserves had a pretty good win too with Luke Mould Player's Player, Logan Brownlie also had a good game with Charlie Peisley, (Jesse) Ratu Jese Roroiova and (Eddy) Etuate Tuitavuki stand outs," Ryan said.
Next week Bombala heads to Eden to play Eden on Sunday.
The two sides were wearing black armbands during the game in memory of both Paul Yeld and Myra Wright. Yeld was a former premiership player with the Blue Heelers, and Mrs Wright was a mainstay of the Devils' club.
Thanks to major sponsor Club Bombala.
