Bombala’s next try came soon after from a mistake when Bega had possession. Rolland Halligan made a one on one strip on a Bega player and raced thirty metres to score under the posts. Corey missed the goal, but 10-0 was a handy early lead.

After fifteen minutes Bega scored their first try, converted and trailed 10-6. Bega were straight back on the attack and the danger was halted temporarily by a great tackle by replacement winger Grant Norris and an intercept by Corey Elton.

A lost ball by Bombala gave Bega another chance and they scored and converted to lead 12-10. Bombala were soon back in front when they won a scrum after a Bega forward pass.

Rolland Halligan, Andrew Power, Grant Norris all threatened the line before this time Rolly was too big and powerful to be denied. Clay Stewart missed the kick but Bombala led 14-12 after 25 minutes.

A penalty against Bombala whilst in possession hurt dearly when Bega scored another converted try and after 30 minutes it was Bega up by 18-14.

A great tackle by Matt Joseph saved another Bega try as half time loomed with the last play of the half. Hooker Luke Kimber split the Bega defence and put Billy Halligan over in the corner as the siren rang to level at 18 all. A great goal by Paul Perkins gave us a 20-18 lead at halftime.

The second half saw Bega with good field position and they scored after five minutes to lead 22-20, missing the conversion.

Bega attacked strongly again and Norris took a dangerous bomb splendidly to defuse the situation. Corey Elton made a long run to put pressure on Bega but we were tackled with the ball on the last tackle for a turnover. After fifteen minutes Bega’s centre scored his third try, the kick was missed and they led

26-20.

Play see-sawed for the next ten minutes with neither team applying too much pressure on the other, then Bombala won a scrum twenty metres from Bega’s line. This was their chance to get level again.

Billy Halligan must have beaten five tackles in his twenty metre burst to score, Paul Perkins added the extras and it was 26 all.

Bombala kicked out on the full, Bega had the ball and with ten minutes to go their halfback scored to put them ahead again and the goal saw them lead 32-26.

Bombala needed a break and it came when Bega were pulled up for a forward pass on half way. They attacked strongly, then put up a high kick. Billy Halligan sailed above the Bega defenders and came down with the ball to claim his third try of the day. Corey Elton tied the game at 32 all with his conversion and seven minutes was left on the clock.

Bega now had their chance with a scrum feed forty metres from Bombala’s line. However they lost the ball through good Bombala defence, back chatted the ref and were penalised. A tap to Bombala thirty-five metres out saw a great chance to take the lead.

A typical Clay Clear charge scattered defenders and he was pulled down just short. From dummy half, Captain Cook’s endeavours to wrap up the game were not to be denied and the try just to the right of the posts saw Bombala lead 36-32, much to the delight of the home crowd. Corey Elton converted and with just two minutes to hang on, Bombala led 38-32 and hang on they did. But not before we saw another big run from Billy Halligan as the game ended.

For Bombala scores were B Halligan 3 trys, R Holligan 2 trys, C Clear and C Cook one each. C Elton 3 goals and P Perkins 2 goals. My Man of the Match was Billy Halligan.

Hope to see you all at Bombala Saturday, June 14 against Cooma.

John Ingram.