THE GOANNAS had an old school rugby home game against the Coffs Snappers at Royal Bowra on Saturday.
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Within minutes the Bowra mud had resulted in both sides becoming one anonymous mass (except for one Coffs winger). Noted mud runners, the Goannas scored first through a 70-metre backline play that saw many sets of hands and a great interchange of passes from Jai Waddy to Jack Ingham and back for the first try under the posts. Marty Boney converted for a 7-nil lead.
Coffs experienced and grinding forward pack then took control of possession and the game to score two tries from set pieces and rolling mauls. Coffs continued to dominate possession and went into the break for oranges up 15 – 7.
The second half started like the first with the Coffs team dominating possession but the Bowra spirit was obvious in defence. The sloppy conditions saw many mistakes from both sides due to jarring tackles and massive confrontations at the breakdown. Harry Jarrett scored the first try of the second half with a one-on-one steal from the Snappers dominant inside centre. Marty converted to bring the score to 15-14. Coffs again took control through relentless phase play and penalty advantage and scored two more tries from close range to lead 27 -14.
Bowraville lifted again and through simply brilliant counter attack and a heads up defensive play from rising star Jye Allan, Jai Waddy kicked, dribbled the ball, waited, dribbled again, and pounced for the next try. Coffs 27-19 but the momentum has shifted to the Goannas.
Again the Snappers lifted and the grind continued. Coffs control of the ball and field position were exemplary and this saw them continue dominating possession and position. A marvellous attacking raid from the prolific duo of Rouse/Boney and associates saw a magnificent try next to the posts which Marty also converted. Coffs 27-Goannas 26.
The final minutes were a pulsating affair but Coffs were able to repel Goannas attacks and consolidate through their forwards to score another close range try to take the score out to 32-26. Another brilliant piece of counter attack from Waddy looked like giving the Goannas an 80-metre try and a fairytale finish but his tiptoe down the sideline was adjudged to be out and the momentum was lost.
Coffs scored in the closing minutes to round out the final score of Coffs 39-Bowra 26. Congratulations to the visitors on their win but everyone at the ground had gained a new respect for the young Goannas.
Rusty’s Pizza Best and Fairest points 3 Dylan Atkin, 2 Scott Rouse, 1 Harry Young and Jai Waddy.
Players’ player – Dylan Atkin on a countback from Jordan Leckie who changed his vote so that Dyl was the winner.