The last game of the season before the finals saw the Roosters travel to Kempsey for a clash against the Dunghutti Broncos.
Nambucca was victorious in both first grade and the Under-18s games.
Under-18s took out the minor premiership in an exciting game, which saw the play alternate from end to end, with Nambucca scoring six tries to Dunghutti’s five. First grade notched up six tries to Dunghutti’s three.
Larnus Leesha was first to score for Under-18s when he found the gap after throwing a dummy pass as the ball was sent out across the line.
Patrick Sneesby had put in the hard yards in the lead-up work. Alex Hull converted.
Dunghutti was next to score when a perfectly placed kick through to the left wing paid off.
Patrick Sneesby crossed over next for Nambucca when he carried four defenders with him to put the ball down. He took a great pass from Matt Archer, who paid the price for drawing his opposing player before off-loading.
Alex Hull converted. Dunghuttti replied with a comfortable try after their player threw a dummy pass, which totally caught Nambucca’s defence off-guard.
Jayden Austen took over the role of try-scorer for the rest of the game. He scored his first try when he took the ball from a scrum 20 metres out.
He stepped and pushed his way through three tackles before making the break to cross over for the try. Alex Hull converted again to make the half time score Nambucca 18, Dunghutti 8.
Dunghutti narrowed the gap to a six point difference early in the second half, with a very easy try which came after two penalties against Nambucca.
Patrick Sneesby’s quick thinking in scooping the ball up from a Dunghutti error started the move for Nambucca’s next try.
He kept the ball alive and in the next play the boys sent the ball across the line to the left, to the ever-hungry Jayden Austen, who finished it off.
Three minutes later Jayden scored again after Cameron Cohen and Larnus Leesha had drawn the defence before getting their passes away. Jayden took the ball, put on the pace and carried the Dunghutti defence over the line with him, as he put the ball down.
Dunghutti fought back with two converted tries to bring their total to 24 and to come within two points of Nambucca on 26.
It was a very exciting ten minutes of play that followed before Jayden Austen scored his fourth and final try for the match.
He took the ball from Kyle Cohen who got the ball away in the tackle. Alex Hull converted to make the final score Nambucca 32, Dunghutti 24. Jayden Austen was players’ player. He had a great game both in defence and attack.
The boys have next week off as they wait for the results of the semi finals to see who they play the following week.
It was great to see first grade finish the season with a win. The game finished half way through the second half due to poor light. Scott Cutmore scored first for Nambucca after James Livock did the hit-up work and Scott took a long cut out pass on the left wing to cross over for the try.
Barry Buchanan scored under the posts next and followed it up with the conversion kick. Dunghutti replied with two converted tries to take the lead by 12 points to 10.
Nambucca’s next try came against the run of play after Dunghutti lost the ball. Nambucca kept the ball alive and Colin Scott crossed over for the try.
Robbie Connell scored next for Nambucca following some fancy passing along the line. Sean Robinson started the move in the next play which saw him bustle his way out of four tackles.
Robbie Connell sent a great ball out to James Livock who crossed over for the try. Dunghutti took an intercept close to half time to score a converted try.
The half time score was Nambucca 24, Dunghutti 18.
The shortened second half saw Nambucca put the only points on the board when James Livock crashed through the Dunghutti defence then opened-up with a burst of speed to cross the line and hand the ball over to Scott Cutmore to score the points, making the final score Nambucca 28, Dunghutti 18.
Thanks must go to all the committee, strappers and support people who have worked tirelessly for the club during the season.
It has been a difficult season for the senior club. We look forward to supporting the Under-18s in their finals quest knowing that the memory of one of their dearly loved team mates, Caleb Jarrett, will be close to their hearts as they face the challenge of endeavouring to finish the season as major premiers.
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