First Grade
Keen to keep their strong sequence of wins going Bombala were behind the eight ball early when two high kicks from Bega were dropped and the visitors were able to score off both to lead 12 - 0 after only 10 minutes.
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Bombala regrouped and with some ball in hand were able to mount some much needed pressure which resulted in big winger Jo Tavalu scoring in the corner 4 - 12. Strong running from all the forwards, in particular Adam Rodwell, set the platform for the next try, when the ball was shifted to the other wing and Corey Patton bounced away from two defenders to bring the score to 10 - 12. The Bega side hit back almost immediately with a very simple try from dummy half from close range. With only three minutes left in the half Corey was given some extra attention in a tackle and a 'melee' ensued which resulted in Saru receiving 10 minutes in the bin.
The second half began in perfect fashion for the locals when the kick off was regathered and from the play the ball Tyler Jones was able to scoot down the blind side to score. A fine conversion from Alex Rosten brought the score line back to within 2. 16 - 18. Upon his return to the field Saru ensured good field position which allowed Jo Bobbin to surge through the defence and off load a ball to Paul Perkins to bounce off two defenders to score a tough team try and Bombala had reached the lead for the first time in the match. The next 10 minutes was to and fro as both teams tried to gain ascendancy. A penalty to Bega from close range saw them lock the score up at 20 - 20. The final result was going to be right down to the wire.
The forwards were really hitting in defence and this set the platform for the attack to pepper the Bega side. Strong runs by Murray Jackson and Jo Bobbin saw Tex offload a lovely pass to Jo who ran 30 metres to bring the crowd to its feet and take the score to 26 - 20 with five minutes left to play. With the ball in hand from the kick off the play marched downfield for Ben Mooney to put a well weighted kick in goal to be regathered by the fullback. In his attempt to make back into play he had the ball stripped by Murray Jackson to score and seal a tough win for the locals against the ladder topping Bega side. A late consolation try saw the final score 30 - 26. The vocal crowd indicated their appreciation for a very entertaining and encouraging win.
Players player: Jo Tavalu 1, Tex 2, Tyler Jones 3.
League Tag
A confident start from both sides despite windy conditions but Bombala were soon on their own line as a result of astute kicking from Bega. Bega were able to score when their fullback scythed through the middle of the ruck to swerve past the defence on an 80 metre run. Again a willingness to let kicks bounce was proving costly as Bombala were continually under pressure. In a repeat of the first try Bega were able to go through the middle of the ruck to score to make the half time score 0 - 12.
Middle third defence was again an issue after half time when Bega scored from close range 0 - 18. To further compound the situation a high penalty count against the locals was providing Bega with plenty of ball and field position. The last 15 minutes of the game were Bombala's most promising and they moved their opponents around in an attempt to crack their defence, That was not to be however and the Bega fullback scored her third try to round out the game with a resounding victory to Bega 24 - 0.
Players player: Monique Perkins 1, Patrice Clear 2, Karter Hampshire 3.
Reserve Grade
A willing start from both sides in attack and defence and Bega were the first with a chance to score but strong defence saw them bundled into touch. From the ensuing scrum a cut out ball from Guthrie to Shaun Walcott saw him use his pace and reach to score in the corner 4 - 0. Good goal line defence stopped Bega on a number of occasions. When the Bombala side had the ball strong runs from Ray Kading and Nat Jennings ensured they were keeping the Bega defence honest. Bega were the next to score when an attempted charge down of a kick was allowed to bounce and Bega retrieved and scored under the posts. 4 - 6.
On the back of this the locals appeared to lose confidence and errors were starting to creep into their play. A dropped ball from a scrum allowed Bega to pounce yet again when their winger ran 40 metres to score in the corner. 4 - 10. With a momentum swing needed Bailey Jones returning from injury split the defence from deep in his own half to beat 5 would be defenders on a 70 metre run to lock the scores up at 10 -10. An error, again straight from the kick off gave the Bega side another try. 10 -16.
The second half was going to be won by the team who actually held the ball and stopped giving away simple penalties. In his second game for the season Luke Kimber proved that age shall not weary him when he chased his own grubber kick from close range to lock the game up again at 16 - 16. Proving why they are the competition front-runners Bega were able to regroup and command the remainder of the game to run out winners 32 - 16.
Players player points: Luke Kimber 1, Ray Kading 2, Nat Jennings 3.