Bactrians narrowly beaten at Bourke
Wednesday August 12, 2009
The Cobar Bactrians women’s rugby team at Bourke on Friday night. ▪ Photo contributed
Cobar Rugby Union’s girls, the Bactrians, played a return match at Bourke on Friday night against the Bourke Ewes and, after an effort for which co-coaches Greg Black and Danny Smith should be proud, they went down ‘kicking and scratching’ 10-5.
Game time was, unfortunately, significantly reduced due to an injury suffered by a Bourke player but the precision and entertainment factors were high.
There were three injuries in the first few minutes of the match but Cobar’s dedication was noted from the start when Bactrian Anita Hodgkinson (who was one of the first injuries after a splendid break away run), ignored her pain to help the injured Bourke players.
After the re-start the rest of the game was extremely well played with brilliant displays of powerhouse tackling by Eden Fairbank and Anita Neate.
Also of note were break away runs by Christie Wheeler, Melanie Driscoll and Zoë Harland (who came in for special treatment from the Bourke girls with three players tackling her at the same time).
New recruits Seigrid Cain, Kate Wallace and Lake Cargelligo recruit Sophie Naughton were always there supporting every play.
Wheeler was responsible for some lovely cleat raking in the mauls to get the ball out and Nicky Miller and Phillipa Russell proved to be invaluable players on numerous occasions.
Despite desperate defence by half-back Jasmine Bain and five-eight Zoë Harland and two enterprising runs by the pivot, Bourke raced away to a commanding 10-0 advantage after an apparent lapse in Bactrian concentration.
An inspirational charge by prop Brytt Moore, crashing down the field taking out two Bourke players, and some clever play by three-quarter Driscoll then reloaded football into the mind-set of the Cobar girls.
Resultant pressure on the Bourke fullback forced her to lose control of the ball which Harland snapped up to feed Bain in support to score.
Bain failed to convert but the Bactrians continued to come home with a wet sail.
The shortened game time however brought their late charge to a halt and Bourke were 10-5 winners at fulltime.
Best and fairest points went to Wheeler (3), Harland (2) and Bain (1).
Harland was also named Players’ Player and the Coaches Player was Brytt Moore.—Jo and Pete
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