The Narooma Rugby League Devils took on the Bombala Blue Heelers in three tough games of football last Sunday.
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Coming off victories over arch-rivals Cooma last weekend the Bombala teams were brimming with confidence but the determined Devils teams played some great football winning two and having a draw in the other game.
The She-Devils League Tag girls were up against the top flight Bombala Blue High Heelers but took them down 16-4 in a great display, the Reserve Grade played some good footy against an enormous Bombala pack and snuck home to steal a draw 16-all while the First Grade Devils showed touches of their true ability with a strong 42-30 win over a determined Bombala team.
Narooma First Grade 42 defeated Bombala 30
With a strengthened team this week the Devils took the field confidently and, running with a strong wind, were quick to score when lively half Riley Hextell dashed over under the posts after just four minutes. Bombala hit back with a try but two quick tries from centre Sterling Wynn and winger Yuin Campbell, all of which were converted by fullback Lance Wright saw the Devils skip away to a handy 18-4 lead.
The teams traded two tries each until halftime with Sterling adding a second and Chopper Willis charging through to slam the ball down. With Bombala’s two tries the half time score was Narooma 30, Bombala 14.
The Bombala boys were definitely not out of the game and as the second half went on the teams again traded two tries each with Lance Wright scorching through from long range and Sterling adding a third try. Bombala countered each try to keep in the game and then scored a late try to see the score finish at Narooma 42 Bombala 30.
For the Devils Lance Wright was fantastic, scoring a try, making long breaks, tackling everything and kicking seven out of seven conversions. Tim Keegan played his usual tough game, being surprised that not having a few on Saturday night made things easier on Sunday! Young gun Gus Wilton proved that he could handle the big boys with a whole-hearted display while Sterling Wynn landed a triple and is still getting better each week. It was great to see Todd Ayers back on deck and he showed what a difference he can make to the side while Brendon Harper also made a successful return from injury. A swab was taken from Rod Ceasar as for the first time this year he didn’t score a try this week. We think he must have been nobbled by those Bombala blokes!
Narooma Reserves 16 Bombala 16
Up against a very strong and very big Bombala team the Narooma Reggies played hard from the outset. The action went from end to end for the first fifteen minutes before this huge Bombala bloke bludgeoned his way over to score.
Top little half Ryan Norris scored and converted his try to even things up 6-all after 30 minutes but Bombala’s smart five-eighth scored just before the break to take Bombala to a half-time lead 10-6.
Bombala opened the second half scoring to see the Blue Heelers lead 16-6 but with ten minutes remaining the Devils refused to lay down with Karn Mikolic and Yuin Campbell scoring tries and Norris converting one to sneak away with a 16-all draw.
Ryan Norris won the best and fairest with Joey Scrymgeour awarded two points and Milko and James Streater getting one point each. Johnny Kelly had a great game as did Elijah Blair and Stephen Brown while Pat Penton - yes that was great catch mate! The retirement home let Jeff Rapley and Troy Beecham out for the day, but we think that Milko is still older than both of them!
Ladies Tag: Narooma 16 Bombala High Heelers 4
Wow! What a game! The She-Devils gave inspiration to the rest of the club with a fantastic display against one of the top teams in the League Tag comp.
At half time the scoreboard was still empty with a 0-0 scoreline but after just four minutes of the second half the blistering speed of Lilly Bennett kicked in as she scorched away for the Devils to take the lead 4-0 Just a few minutes later the High Heelers stormed over for a try to even things up 4-all.
Lilly again broke the deadlock with her second try, converted by Jamie-Anne Wright and then with just five minutes to go Kira Campbell scored an amazing individual try, which, with Jamie-Anne’s conversion, sealed the match.
The High Heelers were stunned but there was no denying the great game that the Narooma girls turned on.
For the Devils Kira Campbell and Lilly Bennett were fantastic earning equal player-of-the-match awards. Jamie-Anne won two points while Tailem Brown got the one point. The Player’s Player award went to Lilly.
In all a pretty good day for the Devils with more to come!
Next week we are playing at home on Saturday after the mighty Junior Narooma Devils. We are up against the Batemans Bay Tigers with the League Tag at 1.30pm, the Reserves at 2.30pm and Firsts at 4pm. Should be another great day of football! I’ll see you there!