Roosterettes crash back to earth

After their sensational high scoring win last week over Baradine, the Cobar Roosterettes crashed back down to earth when they were beaten 44-0 by the Dunedoo Swanettes on Saturday at Tom Knight Memorial Oval.

The Cobar side on Saturday lacked their attacking firepower in Brianna Watson (who scored 20 points for the Roosterettes the week before) and who was unavailable for this week’s match, along with another prolific tryscorer, Brennah Aumua, who was out following an injury sustained in last week’s game.

The Roosterettes were short on subs and also lost the on-field experience and direction of cocaptain Zoë Egan early in the second half when she sustained a shoulder injury after making a try-saving tag. While the Roosterettes’ young players Phoebe Pursehouse, Sarah Morley, Sophie Clark, Neve Carter and Bridgette Negfeldt, kept the Dunedoo defenders on their toes, the Cobar side was unable to effectively defend the well-drilled, slick Swanettes team who created opportunities every time they touched the ball.

Lauren Sullivan (3 tries) and Georgia Price (2) led the scoring for Dunedoo with four more of their players also touching down for a try each showing the depth of talent in the team.

Cobar’s B&F points went to Pursehouse (3), Carter (2) and Egan and Negfeldt (1 each).

Clark was named their Players’ Player and also shared in the referee’s B&F points.

Team of talent, but not enough players

The Cobar Roosters Under 18s team proved they have plenty of talent when they were able to match Narromine early in their Castlereagh Youth League game on Saturday at Tom Knight Memorial Oval.

The scores were locked at 12-all just before the half time break, however with just 13 players available for Saturday’s game, the young Roosters were overrun by the Jets in the second half as they went on to finish with a big 42-12 win.

Cobar opened the scoring with a try by Kai Taylor and shortly after Narromine levelled the scores at 4-all before Harry McPherson’s conversion (his first of six for the game) gave his side a narrow 6-4 lead.

With just over 10 minutes before halftime, Cobar made the most of a penalty close to Narromine’s try line and the Roosters went on the attack with Tadgh McMullen finding a wide gap in the Jets’ defence to stroll over and score untouched behind the posts.

Nathan Kelly’s successful conversion put Cobar ahead 12-6.

Narromine retaliated soon after and their converted try locked the scores up at 12-all four minutes out from half time before another quick try gave them an 18-12 advantage going into the break.

Less than three minutes after the re-start the Jets scored a runaway try and poor tackling from the tired Roosters and a glut of possession allowed Man of the Match, Jamari Clarke, to run in two more tries to his tally of four for the game.

Cobar’s Best & Fairest points went to Jamal Eves (3), Reynold Mugugia (2) and McMullen (1).

Matt Russell wins Wanaaring Open

Ten Cobar golfers (seven men and three women) made the long journey to Wanaaring at the weekend to play in their annual Open event.

The players from Cobar, along with golfers from Bourke and Brewarrina, joined the locals in the field of 24 players.

Wanaaring has long been a popular destination for Cobar golfers and more often than not, it’s usually a Cobar golfer who wins the event.

Craig Dillon has won it multiple times, but he was absent this year.

This year Matt Russell added his name to that long list of Cobar golfers who have triumphed, and in very difficult conditions.

Russell’s winning score was +7 over the 27 holes.

Russell is a very laid-back golfer but when he is in form he can beat just about anybody.

(See Ladies Golf report for more results.)

Back in Cobar, there was a lot going on the local course over the weekend, with regular players at the Rugby League reunion and the Darts championships, and so golfers were in short supply.

Nine players contested a Par event on Saturday and only two players had plus scores: Greg Clark with +3 and Ron Craw with +2.

It seems a long time since “Clarkie” was on the winner’s list and maybe it’s a turn of fortune for him and a return to the glory days when all he had to do was to turn up and he would win something.

Paul Kershaw was third with a square score while Geoff Rorke had a score of minus four.

Rorke however was the only player to get a Nearest the Pin prize which he won on the 15th hole.

The third round of the Captain’s Trophy will be played on Saturday while an individual Stableford will be contested on Sunday.

The Narromine Open will also be contested on Sunday and Cobar is expected to have a good representation there for it. Out of Bounds