COACH IN ACTION: Devils coach player Todd Wright breaks through a tackle in Sunday’s victory against the Bega Roosters. On Friday night in Merimbula, he was named Group 16 Coach of the Year.
ROOKIE COMMITMENT: Kane Ayres fights hard in Sunday’s game against Bega. He was named Rookie of the Year at the Group 16 presentation night on Friday.
THE Narooma Devils are a chance to repeat their 2009 premiership after beating the Bega Roosters on Smyth Oval in a nail biter on Sunday.
The call has now gone out for the town get behind the team when it faces Moruya in Bega this Sunday.
The Devils got through with a hard fought win against the Roosters with the lead switching several times during the game.
Bega scored at the second and tenth minute jumping to an early 10-0 lead.
Narooma pressured Bega several times advancing to the try line several times not being able to capitalise.
The home team eventually scored in the 35th minute after a Blake Robinson chip kick was caught by Simon Hodge who slid across the line.
Robbo converted to make it 10-6 at half time.
But just five minutes before Bega lost a man when key forward Kane Morgan was sent off for allegedly head butting Justin Keegan with the impact heard on the sideline.
And this was just the first man Bega would lose.
Coach player Todd Wright, who was named Group 16 Coach of the Year on Friday night, at half time revved up the Devils urging them to hang in for the whole 80 minutes.
Also at the Group 16 presentation on Friday night, Kane Ayres was named Rookie of the Year.
Narooma’s Todd Ayres was the first to score in the second half after a great offload from Tyler Hextell, allowing the Devils to take the lead at 12-10 for the first time.
Bega scored next retaking the lead, but the Devils pushed back when Hextell himself scored in the 60th minute.
This was backed up by Justin Keegan who got his revenge by scoring under the posts after a great individual effort taking the score to 24-16.
Bega scored again closing in with 10 minutes to go but shortly afterwards another Bega players was sent off for 10 minutes for another serious offence while their coach was also sent off the bench for his reaction.
The loss of discipline by the Roosters most likely cost them the chance to win.
The last try of the match was scored by Pat Willis who sealed the deal by beating three defenders with the Devils taking out the match 28-22.
Blake Robinson was named best and fairest winning a $50 voucher from O’Briens, Tyler Hextell got the coach’s award getting a Bundy rum pack, while Justin Keegan was the players’ player getting the bottomless mug.
Team members from both Bega and Narooma ended up in O’Briens Hotel, the Devils’ major sponsor.
Narooma now faces Moruya for the second time in the finals, losing the first game 44-16, but that was after Narooma had a three-week break.
In addition, key player and hooker Justin Keegan went out after only 20 minutes after receiving an accidental concussion.
The Group 16 grand final match is always held in Bega and a bus has been organised to leave O’Briens Hotel at 10.30am on Sunday with tickets $15.
Tickets available at Rapley’s Midtown Meats and must be booked by Friday.
The Devils are also planning a grand final training session followed by a barbecue at Bill Smyth Oval on Saturday starting at 1pm.
“All families and supporters are welcome, food will be supplied and some of the old players will say a few words and wish the boys luck!”
