The Cobar Roosters First Grade side travelled to Binnaway on Saturday to test the waters of the 2019 Christie and Hood Castlereagh League competition.
The preseason knockout competition gave the Cobar side a chance to look at their opposition this year, including the new Coonabarabran Unicorns team, who finished as the knockout winners.
Cobar, under the guidance of their new coach Jimmy Neyland, came up against their Binnaway hosts in the first round and came off second best with the home side finishing with a 22-10 win.
The Cobar Roosters were also narrowly beaten in their repechage match with Trangie 16-10.
Coonabarabran’s win on Saturday signalled that they are well and truly back on the Castlereagh League scene.
After not fielding a first grade side in the 2018 competition the Unicorns, under the captain coaching of Jarvis Watton, proved too strong, amassing a massive 70 points and only conceding six as they downed Trangie 28-0 then Binnaway 28-6 before defeating Gilgandra 14-0 in the final.
The knockout win compliments the club’s annexure of their League Tag side the previous week in the League Tag knockout where they beat the Roosterettes and augers well for a good season this year for the Unicorns.
Attention now swings to Round 1 of the competition this Saturday with some interesting match ups on offer.
Cobar will host the Unicorns who will be keen to continue their good form, and the Roosters will be putting in a big first up effort in front of their home crowd.
Meanwhile at Coonamble the Bears will be playing host to the Baradine Magpies in a local derby that always produces fireworks, Dunedoo travel to Trangie and Binnaway are at home to Gulgong.
Gilgandra has the bye.
The Cobar club will be kicking on at the Cobar Bowling & Golf Club on Saturday night after their Round 1 game with a season launch that includes player auctions and entertainment with a DJ.
See the Roosters ad on Page 34 for more details.
