The Bombala Blue Heelers jumped into equal second on the Group 16 ladder thanks to a 20-point win over the Narooma Devils at Bill Smyth Oval on Sunday, July 28.
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Bombala winger Corey Patton scored a double in the second half as part of a best-on-ground display, as the Blue Heelers stayed a game clear of sixth-placed Moruya.
The home side gave a good account of themselves in spite of the lopsided scoreline, as they only trailed by six points at half time, and physically matched the reigning premiers.
The Blue Heelers first try was a little lucky, as Digby Walcott scored after the Devils allowed a bomb to bounce in their half.
Benjamin Mooney extended Bombala's lead in the 28th minute, scooting through a big gap after an offload.
However, the Devils hit back five minutes from the break thanks to second rower Ali Elmasri. Halfback Tully Wilton put a grubber kick into the in goal, where Elmasri grounded the ball with just centimetres to spare.
Bombala put the foot down in the second half, as Patton scored his double within the first 12 minutes. His two tries were vastly different, as one was a break from beyond half way, and one was a burst from close range.
When Ratu Tabaiwalu crossed in the 57th minute for a 28-6 lead, the match was out of reach for Narooma.
However, 46-year-old Troy Beecham gave the home side some hope with a solo effort down the right flank, but Tyler Jones' dart from dummy half gave Bombala a 34-10 lead.
Devils fullback Ratu Rotavisoro scored a consolation try in the final minute to make the final scoreline 34-14.
Devils coach, Todd Wright, said his side fought hard in spite of the fact their season was effectively over.
"I felt like a 10-point game to me," he said. "It was a really tough contest, and the effort from our boys was massive.
"I keep telling the boys that if they do throw the towel in, they won't enjoy it anymore. If they stay committed and work hard, they'll keep having fun."
Wright was disappointed in one aspect of his side's second half.
"We're shattered Troy Beecham's off the nudie run," he laughed. "That was our plan for the year, but he's managed to cross over for one now.
"It's a massive effort for him to play first grade at 46, so to score a try like that is fantastic."
Bombala coach Joe Bobbin was pleased with the win, and praised Narooma's performance.
"We always expect a physical challenge against Narooma," he said. "You just expect them to be good every time you come here. They always come out strong, and they were strong again today.
"We played well, but they really dug deep and put it to us."
Bobbin is confident his side can feature on grand-final day again in 2019.
"We got off to a pretty rough start this season, but we've gelled now," he said. "We're starting to play really well, and if we can get home-ground advantage for the finals, it would be massive for us.
"If we can just keep playing good footy, I reckon we can go back-to-back. We've definitely got the team for it."
The Devils will play their final home game of the season next weekend against the Moruya Sharks.
"Hopefully we can put in a performance like today," Wright said. "The boys will be fire up for the local derby, so hopefully we can repay the committee and the crowds for turning up all year."
The Narooma She-Devils Ladies Tag team took on the very talented Bombala High-Heelers girls in a terrific game of tag footy and showed how much they have improved this year.
The Heelers had everyone available at the game while the She-Devils had a small bench but they played some great footy to only let in four tries to the other team.
They were also very unlucky not to score on at least three occasions so the 20-0 win was not so bad.
Best for the team were Taliya Smith, Cat Hardy and the rocket Sarah Alderton, with Tiarne McDonald the Player's Player.