Not a single Cootamundra rugby enthusiast wanted to miss their home team playing at Coota Rugby Club to watch a top-of-the-table clash between the Tri-Colours and the Young Yabbies.
The Tri-Colours did not disappoint with a brutal clash that had Cootamundra come out on top with a 22-17 win. Shaun Helt got a hattrick of tries over the Yabbies with some great work by Jason Cronin on his inside.
Brad Morton added another try for Cootamundra, putting the hosts up by four tries while the Yabbies only got one in the latter stages of the game.
Despite holding a comfortable lead, the Tri-Colours still weren’t far enough ahead to knockout the Yabbies completely, failing to get all but one conversion through the goal, leaving the opposing team open to capitalise on the situation.
Young were a resilient team as the always are and in the late minutes of the match, managed to come off the field with another try and conversion under their belt, but it still wasn’t enough to walk off the paddock with a win.
In the end, it was Coota’s backline and defence that kept the score in their favour.
As usual their forwards pack stood tall.
Paul Wallace, Isaac Mitchell and Jason Cronin stole the show over the weekend and will be the ones to keep an eye on come finals. Coach Mitchel Wakeford is looking forward to meeting the Yabbies again in the finals. “Full credit to Young, they definitely gave it to us.
They’re probably the most physical pack we played against all year,” he said. “It was very impressive. They’re a very physical side.
“They really gave it to us in every physical aspect of the game, so it was it was a very good challenge.
“A few guys really stepped up for us and played a strong game. It’s good to know that a few things are starting to click leading into the finals.”
This weekend, the Tri-Colours travel to West-Wyalong to take on the Weevils.
Despite the end of the season fast approaching, Coota still has their work cut out for them as they face a hungry Boorowa Goldies the week after, on top of fast approaching semi-final rounds.
The game against the Weevils will take place at the West-Wyalong Rugby Club on Saturday with kick-off at 3:15pm.
Jack Murray