Castlereagh Rugby League grand final game on Saturday at Gulgong against the
Gulgong Bull Terriers. ▪ Photo by Klae McGuinness Photography
The Cobar Roosters’ hopes and dreams of back-to-back Castlereagh Rugby League premierships were dashed on Saturday afternoon when they were beaten by the Gulgong Bull Terriers 10-4 in a thriller of a match.
Despite the players getting a big send off on Friday afternoon by an enthusiastic Cobar crowd (many of whom followed them the next day to Gulgong to cheer them on the sidelines at the game) and a good luck wish from Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson, the Roosters failed to bring home the silverware this year.
It wasn’t however from a lack of trying with the Cobar side having two tries disallowed in Saturday’s all important game.
For Gulgong, it was a fairytale finish for the club’s 100th year celebrations.
In what was a somewhat dour affair the closeness of the two teams on the scoreboard meant that it was none the less exciting, with the result in the balance until the full-time siren was sounded.
Points were hard to come by, with both sides guilty of being sloppy with regards to their ability to control possession and it was not until there was only eight minutes remaining in the first half that there was some activity on the scoreboard when Gulgong’s halfback and captain/coach Brad James was able to score out wide to give his team a 4-0 lead which was to be the score at the half time break.
James’ opposite, Roosters’ captain/coach Thomas Plater, evened things up when he went over from close range just three minutes into the second half.
The Terriers seemed to be winning the game in territorial terms, with the Roosters called on to do some stout goal line defence until finally the 4-all deadlock was broken when Gulgong’s front rower Jack Hart, was able to pop a beautiful pass to his front row partner, Blake Gorrie, who crashed over.
With the try converted, Gulgong held a tenuous 10-4 lead with 11 minutes remaining.
It is history now that the Terriers were able to hold on to that lead after what was a tense finish to the match and the 2023 Castlereagh League season.
Their win meant that their undefeated status remained intact and gives them a very convincing claim for Clayton Cup honours!…Full report in this week’s edition out now!
