After trailing by 12 points at half time, the Cobar Roosterettes fought their way back to record a 30-26 win over Gilgandra to thrill the big crowd at Tom Knight Memorial Oval on Saturday.
Gilgandra had narrowly beaten the Roosterettes 25-24 in their Round 1 game at Gilgandra five weeks ago, and so the stage had been set for the all important re-match on Saturday on Cobar’s home turf.
After an intense seven minute battle, Gilgrandra opened the scoring with a try out wide but it wasn’t long after that Kayla Hasson replied for the Roosterettes.
Brianna Watson’s successful conversion put Cobar ahead 6-4 and Aisha Schofield extended the Roosterettes’ lead shortly after when she snuck over to score out wide.
Gilgandra wrestled back the lead and, with two quick tries before half time, they had taken the ascendency with a 22-10 lead.
The Cobar side returned to the field with purpose after the break with hardworking centres Bianka Jacobson and Tyler Chiswick directing Cobar’s play and it wasn’t long before Jezebel Hitchins scored.
A second try to Hasson then narrowed the margin to 22-18.
Watson’s converted try immediately after the drinks break put Cobar ahead but the celebrations were short-lived when Gilgrandra hit back with an unconverted try to grab back the lead.
The Cobar team however was fired up and you could see they didn’t want this game to be a repeat of the last.
Jacobson, Watson and Nichola Heagney teamed up in attack which resulted in a late try by Heagney and Watson’s conversion put Cobar in front 30-26 with two minutes left on the clock.
The Roosterettes dug in in defence to finish the match with a four point win.
Co-Coach Jay Egan said a few changes with their halves playing a more traditional role had worked for the Roosterettes for this match.
“They’re a classy side, with plenty of speed,” Egan said of the Gilgandra visitors.
“Our tagging still needs some an improvement but we were focused, our passing and ball handling was really good and they all wanted to win.”
Best and Fairest points went to Watson (3), Heagney (2) and Grace Burge (1).
Hasson and Chiswick shared the Players’ Player Award.
