The Cobar Roosters Under 18s game against the Coonabarabran Unicorns on Saturday at Tom Knight Memorial Oval was a tough, physical game which was unfortunately marred by a lot of pushing and shoving after the final hooter.
Referee Ben Trudgett however did a great job of bringing both sides back into line and all shook hands as a show of good sportsmanship as they walked off the field at the end of the game.
The top of the table Unicorns took an early lead in Saturday’s match with fullback Jack Isedale crossing for the first of his three tries.
When Konna Newtown scored out wide not long after, the Unicorns were up 10-0 before Cobar fullback Tyson Brilley brought his side back into the match when he scored the Roosters’ first try.
The Unicorns were punishing in defence and their attackers also showed no mercy running over the top of several of the Roosters’ defenders on numerous occasions on their way to the line.
Isedale’s second try and one to Lachlan Howarth put the Unicorns ahead 18-4 going into the half time break.
The Cobar team came out firing in the second half and within two minutes of play Ashley Davies dived over in the corner to score.
Compounded penalties for Unicorn infringements put the Roosters within 40 metres of their try line and they began playing with more intensity.
It was however the Unicorns who next posted points with a try to Darcy Abel which was converted by Quade Milgate to give the visitors a 24-8 lead.
Braith Good’s try out wide gave the Roosters some hope and closed the margin to 12-24 and a few try saving tackles by the Roosters defenders kept that margin from being extended for most of the second half.
The Unicorns however still had plenty in the tank and late tries to Cody Whitty, Isedale and Will Capewell (on the final buzzer) saw them finish with a convincing 40-12 margin, with the win ensuring they retained their top of the table standing in the competition.
Cobar was well served by Brad Davies, Good, Lachlan Ford, Michael Manns, Marty Turton and Wyatt Proudlove.
