THE Pub 9s rugby league competition continues tonight (Friday) at Tumbarumba with an added drawcard.
This round will see the women in action, with girls from the Tumbarumba Greens, Adelong Green and Gold and the Tumut Commercial Sharks making their debut in the competition.
This is a history making occasion as the girls have never been included in this competition previously.
The girls match will be second up in tonight’s program.
Spectators will be in for a feast of rugby league talent if last week’s action-packed opening round at Batlow is a measure of what is to come.
The entertaining first round kicked off with the Bowlie Bears defeating Tumbarumba Greens 28-17 in a game which featured open styles of play.
One of the competition’s organisers, Tumut Blues Old Boys Treasurer Tony Roddy, said the Bowlie Bears soon began to assert their authority on the game to take a 18-7 halftime lead.
“After the restart, play continued to go from one end of the field to the other with Greens scoring first and the Bears replying,” Roddy said.
“Some willing forward clashes ensued, with the Greens on the attack, and soon they scored through their captain/coach Robbie Byatt.
“The score was now 22-17 the Bears’ way and spectators were anticipating a close finish to the match.
“But the Bears were not done and play was even for a period with both teams looking for an opening, until Bears split the defence with a try to Draber which was converted.”
Some solid defence from both teams in the later stages of the game restricted scoring opportunities.
The following game saw Adelong Green and Gold defeat the home team Batlow Tigers 19-14 in an exciting finish.
A late try in the final five minutes gave Adelong the victory.
“The game started evenly for a period, but a slick passing movement and good backing up of the ball carrier saw Adelong score first,” Roddy said.
“The Tigers were unlucky not to score soon after, but their winger put his foot into touch, however soon after they were rewarded with a try in the corner.
“Another good passing movement saw Corey Wilson score out wide for Adelong and from the kick restart, the Tigers allowed the ball to go dead and Adelong took full advantage with another try soon after, which saw them lead 12-4 at halftime.”
The Tigers rallied in the second half and scored two quickfire tries to take a two-point lead with just five minutes remaining.
“But Adelong were not going to let this game slip and with Batlow attacking out wide, a clever intercept by Benji Hannon resulted in a try which was converted,” Roddy said.
The final opening round game featured the Woolpack Jets recording a comfortable 38-13 victory against the Royal Devils.
The Devils started the game well and hit the lead following some good lead-up play with Peu Tamani deftly evading a number of tacklers.
However, soon after, the Jets were in for a try to Zac Treglown which was converted.
Another try to captain/coach Tom Jeffery soon after gave the Jets a handy lead.
But the Devils scored a four-pointer to stay in the game, trailing 18-9 at the break.
However the Devils’ hope was shortlived.
“The Jets scored a try immediately after the resumption which was converted,” Roddy said.
“Some good play and sustained attack by the Devils unfortunately came to nothing and after regaining possession, Zac Treglown scored a try for the Jets.
“The Devils showed some spirit but possession was lost and Tom Jeffery scored again for Jets.
“The Devils never gave up trying and were attacking as full-time approached.
“A tackle restart and a penalty saw them camped on the Jets’ line and finally the defence was penetrated, with a try to Ben Warner.”
Roddy encouraged locals to attend the games at Tumbarumba tonight to give the women’s teams a warm welcome, to see some quality footy and cheer on their hometown heroes.
PUB 9s VOTE COUNT
EACH week during the Pub 9s matches a spectator is asked to nominate players in each game played for the best player on the field on a 3-2-1 basis.
For last Friday’s vote count the following were nominated:
Game 1: Tumba versus Bowlie
3. Matt Byatt
2. Jaren Baker
1. Michael Spiteri
Game 2: Batlow versus Adelong
3. Brocke Argus
2. Daniel Shaw
1. Nick Mcdonald
Game 3: royal versus Woolpack
3. Zac Treglown
2. Tana Scott
1. Tom Jeffery
Each week the Tumut and Adelong Times will publish the count – a progressive count will not be published towards the end six week season of the competition.
