Roosters use trial match as opportunity to gel as a team
Wednesday April 14, 2010
The Cobar Roosters First Grade side which lined up for the team’s trial match against Gilgandra Panthers at Tom Knight Memorial Oval on Saturday night.
Cobar Roosters had one of their last trials before the 2010 rugby league season commences with a trial match against Gilgandra on Saturday night under lights at Tom Knight Memorial Oval.
The Under 18s side recorded a 26-24 win (see report page 34 for full details), while the First Grade side went down to Gilgandra 28-16.
The trials were a chance for the Cobar sides to gel as a team with 16 players from Bourke joining the Roosters teams.
Club secretary Michael Hart said since the pre-season competition doesn’t involve reserve grade several key players of the Cobar Roosters squad were rested.
“We believe it is more important to give the new players from both Cobar and Bourke as much game time as possible,” Mr Hart said.
“Although we lost this first grade match we believe that several players showed a lot of ability and further training and game time to refine some skills will result in all three grades of the Cobar Roosters being competitive in the 2010 season.”
A lack of players certainly wasn’t an issue for first grade captain/coach Cole Jermyn with 35 players presenting themselves ready to play before the match.
This meant that Cole had to rest himself and several other Cobar players such as Chris Gilbert and Ben Wright.
Cobar entered the game with a lot of enthusiasm with several big hits coming from new front rower Damian Frize.
However since most of these players have never played together a solid defensive structure was lacking and Gilgandra established an early lead of 16-0.
However as the game progressed the Bourke and Cobar players started to gel and set about reigning in that lead.
Tries to Bourke players Troy Hayman and Eddie Orcher along with halfback Matt Garland brought Cobar to within four points of Gilgandra.
However two late tries from Gilgandra blew out the scoreline to finish on 28-16.
Solid performances from Troy Hayman and Paul Edwards showed that the Cobar Roosters have a lot of potential for the upcoming season which will only improve as these new players play more matches together.
Mr Hart said overall it was a good effort considering only three players from last year’s first grade side played in this match.
“Although several players didn’t get to play this weekend once the season kicks off we need a squad of 21 reserve graders in addition to the first grade side,” Mr Hart said.
“For this reason we are still short of players for the upcoming season and anyone interested in playing should come to training at Tom Knight Oval Cobar on Mon, Wed, Thur at 7pm.” - contributed
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