The game played at Coonamble between the Bears and the visiting Gilgandra Panthers certainly lived up to its match-of-the-round status with a hard fought and highly entertaining game unfolding in front of a very large and appreciative crowd.
The fact that it took 28 minutes before a point was scored gives some indication as to how the teams ripped into one another as well as how solid their defence was.
A very rare 6-4 scoreboard (in favour of the Bears) at half-time was the result of a hectic first half, which saw Coonamble’s Josh Cock force his way over for a converted try after Gilgandra had spilt the ball close to their own line in the 28th minute. Gilgandra’s James Dougan replied just five minutes later with a powerful 15-metre surge that saw him take a number of defenders with him over the line.
Coming back from the break the Bears extended their lead to 12-4 in the 47th minute when hooker Ben Pawley skirted through a Gilgandra defence that was in disarray for a converted try. But then it was the Panthers who came roaring back in to the game with tries to half Curtis Carr after he received a sweet pass from big front-rower Owen Batten and another to hooker Graham Bugmy from close range.
With one of those converted and the other rebounding off the upright the visitors were in the lead 14 to 12 in the 59th minute.
At the 60th minute mark the Panthers were once again behind as they failed to guard against a short kickoff by the Bears who accepted the opportunity to gain possession from the restart with glee and within six tackles their lock Jarryd Rae had forced his way over.
With the conversion successful they were back in front 18 to 14. Five minutes later the Panthers squandered a great chance to score when the ball went to ground with the line wide open.
This seemed to spur the Bears into action and they scored three rapid fire tries, one converted to blow the score out to 32 to 18 before a last minute try to the Panthers completed proceedings in a game that was a great advertisement for Castlereagh Cup rugby league.
The final round will be played out next week with both games being a dress rehearsal for the forthcoming semi finals.
At Warren the Bulldogs will not only be out to retain the Boronia Cup but to gain a psychological advantage over the visiting Coonamble Bears as the two sides head in to the major semi.
The game at Gilgandra between the Panthers and the Baradine Magpies should attract a huge crowd with the right to host the minor semi final being the prize on offer to the victors.
Coonamble 32 (Josh Cock, Ben Pawley, Jarryd Rae, Steve Canham, Brad Pickering, Kirby Chapman tries and Pickering 4 goals) defeated Gilgandra 20 (James Dougan, Curtis Carr, Graham Bugmy, Wendon Riley tries and Bugmy 2 goals).
Baradine 54 defeated Dunedoo 16 and Warren had the bye.
Competition table: Coonamble 18, Warren 13, Baradine 8, Gilgandra 8 and Dunedoo 1.
This week: Warren versus Coonamble, Gilgandra versus Baradine and Dunedoo bye.
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