attack for the Roosters in their grand final win on Saturday. ▪ Photo by Jody McCabe
The Cobar Roosters Under 18s team were crowned the 2020 Christie & Hood Castlereagh Youth League champions after they notched up a thrilling 18-16 win over the Coonamble Bears on Saturday.
Based on the team’s recent performances, co-coaches Jack Govett and Nathan McAndrew said they had both felt “pretty confident” of a win going into Saturday’s grand final match.
“I was glad the boys came out fired up,” McAndrew said of the start of the game.
Player of the Match, Cobar’s Ted Smith opened the scoring early for the Roosters and then team mate Jacob Christie followed up with back-to-back tries for Cobar to lead 16-0 by half time.
Both coaches however were concerned the Cobar boys would do their traditional “switch off in the second half” trick and Govett said their game plan had been to be at least 30 points ahead by half time.
Both he and McAndrew got very worried in the second half when the Bears took the ascendancy and started whittling down the Roosters’ 16 points lead.
Late in the match the Roosters led 18-10 before the Bears scored their third try to close the margin to 18-16.
The Cobar boys held out and came through with a win with Roosters fullback Ash Davies pulling off a late try-saving tackle, which Govett said probably won them the game.
The coaches also praised the on-field performance of Smith, who both said was outstanding up through the centre.
“Christie dominated, Lochlan Ford’s kicking game was probably his best all season; and Khan McMurray, Dylan Morley and the Centres all played well.
“I couldn’t fault any of the players,” Govett said.
Both coaches said their only disappointment in Saturday’s game was that it ended in a brawl.
