The run-on team was D Jacobs, M Jackson, B Hockey, B Halligan, S Walcott, C Stewart, C Cook, A Power, L Kimber, R Halligan, S Sten, C Clear, J McDonald. Reserves were S Papali, V Papali, R Kading and G Norris.
Cooma kicked off and Bombala was soon deep on the attack. They crossed the line through Billy Halligan, but were called back for a forward pass. Cooma was quick to take the advantage with their coach splitting the Blues defence and sending second rower Thomas over under the posts for a converted try to lead 6-0.
Bombala hit back quickly. From a scrum win on halfway they put pressure on Cooma. Clay Clear was held up over the line, but hard running centre Ben Hockey was not to be denied and opened Bombala’s scoring. Clay Stewart missed the goal, and Cooma led 6-4.
Play fluctuated back and forth with both teams struggling to hold the ball. Then in the 17th minute Billy Halligan ran 20 metres to score just to the left of the posts. Luke Kimber goaled and Bombala led 10-6.
Cooma seemed fortunate to gain a scrum feed after a lost ball and capitalised immediately by scoring under the posts. The goal gave them a 12-10 lead after 21 minutes.
Bombala appeared to be in position to mount an attack when they won a scrum 40 metres from Cooma’s line. However, a pass was intercepted by Cooma and another converted try resulted the lead to 18-10.
They were in under the posts again after a long run down the sideline and good support play. The game was slipping away with Cooma leading 24-10 after 28 minutes.
Cameron Cook scored for Bombala soon after to raise hopes a little. The conversion was unsuccessful and Cooma led 24-14. Then with two minutes to halfway, Cooma scored again, kicked the goal and held a very healthy 30-14 lead at the break.
Cooma came out after halftime with the downhill run and a strong wind behind them. They soon rammed home their advantage with two converted tries in the first 10 minutes to lead 42-14.
Bombala’s winger Shaun Walcott then scored a good determined try to make the score 42-18 after 54 minutes.
Cooma’s response was swift and another try under the posts followed, the goal giving Cooma a 48-18 lead. A 40/20 kick followed, a couple of quick penalties and in the 62nd minute another Cooma try made it 54-18.
The wind was getting colder and the crowd must have been hoping for the siren to ring. However, the Bombala team hung in to the end and Sam Sten scored twice in the last 6 minutes to take the final score to 54-28.
For Bombala Sam Sten scored two tries, with one each to Ben Hockey, Billy Halligan and Cameron Cook. Luke Kimber kicked two goals and was my man of the match for his usual non-stop effort in a well-beaten team.
Hopefully next weekend’s clash with Pambula-Merimbula at Pambula will see a better result for both teams. With injured players set to return, the Blues should be able to put in a much stronger effort.
The players would love to see as many supporters down there as possible to cheer them on, with the afternoon sure to be a little warmer than last Saturday.
Under 18s
Bombala Juniors had another tough opponent in the well-drilled Cooma outfit, which contained bigger and much more experienced footballers.
Cooma opened the scoring early and soon led 10-0.
After 15 minutes a fine run down the touch line and a well timed pass by Murray Jackson saw Andrew Anderson score an impressive try.
Cooma scored three more times to lead 26-4 at halftime.
A determined chase and great tackle by Andrew Joseph saved another try right on half time.
Cooma continued to dominate and scored several more times in the second half.
To their credit the Bombala boys tried to the finish and closed the scoring with a second try to Andrew Anderson, my pick as man of the match.
It was also very positive to see so many reserves on the bench. Hope to see you all at Merimbula again on Saturday.
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