The Cobar Roosterettes recorded a sensational 20-18 win over Coonamble in their Christie and Hood Ladies League Tag match on Saturday at Coonamble.
It was a first time win for the Roosterettes in two seasons over Coonamble with the two sides always playing close games.
Saturday’s game was also another close affair with the scores locked up at 12-all at half time.
Despite Coonamble having all the possession early in the match which tested Cobar’s defence on numerous occasions, it was the Roosterettes who put first points on the board with Jenna Fullagar crossing for Cobar’s first try. Brianna Watson’s successful conversion then had Cobar ahead 6-0.
Their hosts retaliated shortly after with a converted try to even the score at 6-all and a subsequent converted try saw Coonamble take a 12-6 lead.
A try under the posts after a 50m sprint by Madasan Taylor, which Watson converted, once again levelled the scores and it was 12-all going into the half time break.
A second half try to Watson, who broke the line to score, kept Cobar competitive but Coonamble’s third converted try had the home side in the driver’s seat with a narrow two point lead at 18-16.
With just four minutes left in the match, a good pass from Fullagar to Mollie Harley out on the wing resulted in Harley scoring and Cobar went ahead 20-18.
Roosterettes’ coach Bianka Jacobson said the last few minutes of the game were very intense as her players were almost spent from the tough match.
She said having travelled with only one sub and then having two injuries in the game put plenty of pressure on her side.
The Roosterettes however rose to the occasion and, despite a late ball handling error which gave Coonamble possession and another chance to score, the Roosterettes held strong in defence.
Jacobson said she was thrilled when Jezebel Hitchins took an intercept in the final minute of the game to give the Roosterettes possession and they hung on to the ball to win the match.
Jacobson said she always knew the game with Coonamble was going to be a close one and she was thrilled with Saturday’s outcome.
She said she was pleased with the growth of her side this season, particularly in their confidence and their patience in attack which has helped them to win games.
Mel Singh, who was a stand-out tagger in defence in Saturday’s game, was named the Roosterettes’ Players’ Player.
The team’s Best and Fairest points were shared by Taylor (3), Hitchins (2) and Naomi Whitehurst (1).
The Roosterettes will host Binnaway this Saturday at Tom Knight Memorial Oval (wearing their Ladies of League commemorative jerseys) and will be hoping to replicate their previous win from Round 6.
