Roosters Reggies’game brings in the big crowd

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26.

Gilgandra won the toss and elected to kick off, and it was at this time that a few people might have started to regret the decision to pull their footy boots back on.

Paul McCosker however wasn’t one of them!

After five years of retirement, the 39 year old prop brought it from the back fence to have a 17 year old hit him with just as much excitement for the game.

This is when the Cobar boys knew it was going to be a long game of footy.

Gilgandra capitalised on early mistakes from the more experienced Roosters side and they had the advantage of speed and youth on their outside flanks.

They took an early lead after a try in the left hand corner with an equally impressive goal kick taking the battle to six points in front of the home side.

After a slight regrouping in the in-goal for the Roosters and Lock Forward Graeme Barton giving an inspirational pep talk (not so different as the ones he gives his Under 13 Roosters side) and Cobar was back attacking.

Unfortunately it wasn’t too long before Gilgandra’s left side winger made a 75 metre dash down the sideline and despite Cobar’s fullback Deighton following him at a blistering pace trying to chase him down, it was to no avail as the Panthers crossed for another try.

The Roosters were feeling defeathered when they kicked off again only to have another try scored against them taking the score to 16-0 in favour of the younger Panthers outfit.

The interchanges started to flow on both teams and the Roosters’ bench decided to bring in their two enforcers, Dallas Josephson, who was back on the field for the first time in 25 years, and one of their tough men, Tom McBride, to get some movement in the middle.

The injection worked well as McBride soon scored one of the laziest tries in rugby league history to take the score to 16-4.

His try also helped to spark a glimmer of hope for the Roosters.

...it was at this time that a few people might have started to regret the decision to pull their footy boots back on. Paul McCosker however wasn’t one of them!

The half time break was welcomed by both sides as their waning fitness levels were starting to show.

The second half wasn’t proving to go well for the Cobar Reggies as they were having to do a lot of defending but nobody was giving up just yet.

Two more tries to Gilgandra came about and the margin was now 28-4.

Captain/coach Deighton then decided something needed to be done and he barged his way down the field to set up a simple combination try for Josephson and Jack Fazulla only for it to result in a knock on.

Standing 45 metres out from the line, Tristan

Everett, who was probably the fittest on the field having only retired from First Grade at the end of last season, decided it was time to flex the guns, and with a left foot step he made short work of the defence and ran straight over five defenders to cross the line.

Matt Hunter attempted the conversion, and having flashbacks of his Under 15 grand final goal attempt, it seemed the pressure was too much and he hooked this one also.

Not long after Gilgandra returned fire with another try bringing the scores to 32-8.

With the Roosters Reggies stringing together a great couple of sets they found themselves deep in the enemy’s territory.

Deighton, known for always liking the lime light, got hold of the ball and bumped off what he said felt like eight of the toughest players he’s come across since his time with the KML Knights in Mini League.

He determinably scored close to the left hand corner post and seeing it was his choice to score that far out, he was given the kicking duties.

Deighton’s attempt from the side line was looking good the whole way until it swung off and narrowly missed.

The final score was 32-12.

Post game interviews and conversations had by young spectators were mainly based around how cool it was to see their dads and coaches play footy, with Rugby League and the Cobar community being the real winners on the day. contributed

Clarkie comes back from the golf wilderness

Saturday’s Men’s Golf competition was an individual Stableford with 11 players contesting, and then 12 turned up to play on Sunday.

There are however still a few golfers away, gone fishing “down the Cooper where the western drovers go”.

Bill Fugar was back out on the course in his first game since having his knee operation and he managed to score a credible 33 points. (The new knee will make him slice the ball more so he will have to compensate for that.)

The winner of the day, and by a margin of three points, was Greg Clark, with a good round of 40 points.

Just maybe, ‘Clarkie’ is on his way back from the golfing wilderness where he has been stagnating these past two years.

Garry Wilkin edged out Scott Mayne for second place and Steve Manns came in 4th. Manns cleaned up the Nearest the Pin prizes, taking the prize on the 3rd, 7th and 11th holes while Mark Martin won the prize on the 8th. The 15th was not won.