Bodalla Bulls Soccer Club travelled to Mallacoota on the weekend to compete in the 44th annual Mallacoota Cup.
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The Bulls played four games but narrowly missed out on a finals placing.
Despite a 5am departure from Narooma, Bodalla started well. Their 10 men took the lead against hosts Mallacoota United through a Jesse French free kick.
The half-time lead was taken away in the second half when the home team, which had 12 players on the field, scored. Although the refs chalked that goal off, the tide had turned and Bodalla fell to a 3-1 defeat.
The Bulls then battled well against a strong Cooma side. Jayden Rixon, Adam Dixon and Sid Smith excelled in defence, before Bodalla conceded a 2-0 defeat.
Day two started with a nil-all draw against the South Australian Plympton Bulldogs, with French, Aaron Cashman and Moruya ring-in Connor Takacs going close. The Bulls, determined to go home with a win, then dominated against reigning champions Hornby RSL in the final group game. They took the lead through Canberra lad Tim Anderson, assisted by Kyle Dixon, before Henry George crossed for South Coast loanee Luke to volley home.
A 2-0 win would have put Bodalla in the afternoon finals, so there was great relief when Hornsby scored a late penalty to ensure the Bulls were home for the NRL grand final.
