visitors won 32-4.
The Cobar Roosters Rugby League Club launched their 2025 season at Tom Knight Memorial Oval on Saturday hosting two trial games, pig races and entertainment.
The Roosters welcomed the Lake Cargelligo Sharks First Grade and Ladies League Tag teams for preseason matches with the visitors celebrating victories in both games.
In very warm 30 degree conditions, the First Grade match was played in three thirds and reduced to 60 minutes.
The Roosters side, under the watchful eye of new coach Paul Sullivan, was made up of a mix of 12 players from last year’s First Grade and Youth League grand final sides, along with four former Cobar Rugby Union Camels.
And David Watson, former Roosters 2018 captain/coach, has returned from Mudgee and is a welcome addition to the team this season.
Despite having lots of possession in the first third, the Cobar side took a while to gel.
It wasn’t until the 12th minute that Cobar put points on the board when Tom Plater, with support from Tim Hillam, attacked the line.
Plater easily strolled through the Lake defence to score behind the posts.
Soon after the visitors looked like they were going to even up the score with a break away run down field, however a solid tackle by the Roosters fullback Ash Davies, put paid to that.
Davies was outstanding all game and as usual his cover defence was faultless.
Lake had the bulk of possession in the second third but it wasn’t until 30 seconds out from the second break that they converted that possession into points.
The successful conversion put Lake ahead
6-4.
After the re-start Cobar had plenty of go-forward rolling momentum which resulted in Tim Hillam crashing over to score eight minutes in.
Ben Griffiths’ successful conversion put Cobar ahead 10-6.
With three minutes left on the game clock, the Sharks made the most of a penalty conceded by Cobar close to their line and they crossed to score and level the scores at 10-all.
The subsequent conversion was the game winner and Lake finished with a narrow
12-10 win victory.
The preceding League Tag match had the benefit of a one degree cooler temperature but it was still tough going playing in the heat.
Lake Cargelligo boasted some fast, handy players and many of their tries in their 32-4 victory were scored from break away runs.
Rori Urquhart was the only Roosterette able to penetrate the Lake defence when she scored early in the match.
Cobar’s quicks, Brianna Watson, Aisha Schofield, Bridgette Negfeldt and Taylah Good, made good ground throughout the match, however were unable to convert their efforts into points.
