THE Woolpack Jets and Commercial Sharks kept their unbeaten records intact in an action-packed final competition round of the Tumut Old Boys Nines at Twickenham on Friday.
The Batlow Tigers got the night underway with a commanding 40-0 win over the Star Redmen.
The Redmen put up a good fight in the first half, restricting the Tigers to two tries to Trae King and Josh Smith, Batlow leading 12-0 at the break.
However, the Tigers asserted themselves in the second half, with King, Smith, Jesse Bellchambers, Joe Samasma and Sailasa Madrai running in tries for a final score of 40-0.
Star manager-player Bradley Porteous said it was definitely a tough game but the Redmen would take plenty of positives from the tournament.
“Besides our injuries I think the boys benefited greatly for some match fitness with the upcoming footy seasons with both the Bulls and Blues,” he said.
“Our players such as Chace Bullock, Aidan Thomas and Spencer Smith were very consistent and put in some hard work each week, but all of the team put in effort between travel and other commitments.
“We had players that haven’t played in years and some younger blokes coming up to be able to play adult age grade rugby that we were glad to incorporate into our side and let them get a feel for it.”
The Adelong Green and Gold women’s team scored their first win of the tournament, 16-11 over the Gundagai Tigers. Teisha and Shanae Freeman returned for Adelong this week and made a big difference, helped by the dummy half work of Grace Smith and incisive running of Charlotte Kelly.
The Tigers were first on the board through a Destiny Cooper try, but the Green and Gold hit back via Dempsey Elphick. Shanae Freeman scored a kick-and-chase try which was converted and her side led 12-4, but Abbey Flanagan scored a five-pointer to have her team only one behind at half time.
Four-and-a-half minutes into the second half Grace Smith darted in for what ended up being the winning try, Adelong winning by five in their final game of the tournament.
Teisha Freeman said it felt good to get a win.
“I think we finally worked out how to play as a team,” she said.
“Everyone sort of stepped up so we could get the win. I’m so proud of all of the girls and I’ve really enjoyed playing in the 9s comp this year.”
The form team of the men’s tournament, the Woolpack Jets, were too good for the Tumbarumba Greens, winning 29-16.
It was Tumbarumba who opened the scoring with a try to Darcy Finnimore four-and-a-half minutes in, but the Jets soon hit back with a five-pointer to Zac Treglown, followed by a four-pointer to Jack Hillier, taking Woolpack to a 9-4 half-time lead.
Kyle Danilczak scored early in the second, followed by Adam Beaver and Tom Jeffery, who ran in another five-pointer.
However, Tumbarumba hadn’t given up, and they scored the next two tries though Robbie Byatt and Joe Murphy. The Jets had the last say with a five-point try where the ball bounced beautifully for Bailey Maher.
Woolpack captain-coach Billy Bridgeman said it was another good win.
“We stuck to our guns and got the choccies,” he said.
“Tumba brought what we were expecting; they were just missing a couple of their strike players. As for us, we’re injury free and keen as to play the long-awaited final against the Bowlie.”
Greens captain-coach Robbie Byatt said his team started well but too much dropped ball cost them.
“With a lot of backs out our bigger men struggled against a quick side,” he said.
“It’s a great tournament and good for our pre-season. They (Woolpack) are a good side and will take some beating next week.”
The Commercial Sharks continued their winning ways with a 40-4 shut-out of the Tumbarumba Greens. Jade Bellchambers got the scoring underway with a try that was converted for a 6-0 lead.
Georgia Baywater and Katrina Walsh each scored tries and Kiahan Bellchambers got a double to put the Sharks ahead 25-0 at half time. Commercial went on with it in the second half, with Michelle Perry again outstanding in the 40-0 win.
The Adelong Green and Gold handed defending Roddy Shield champions the Bowlie Bears their first loss of the season with a 20-18 win.
“Adelong played really well and we struggled missing a few key players,” Bears coach Jack Dean said.
The Bears are now focused on this Friday night’s Roddy Shield final against Woolpack.
“Yeah the boys are keen and looking forward to what should be a good match against the Woolpack this coming Friday,” he said.
Adelong Green and Gold will play the Batlow Tigers in the Bristow-Madigan Plate final on Friday at 6pm, and Commercial Sharks take on the Batlow Tigers in the Pearl Jeffery Plate final at 6.40pm. The Bears and Jets take the field for the Roddy Shield final at 7.20pm
