THE Bega Roosters stretched the Narooma Devils to their breaking point on Sunday.
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The first grade Roosters comprehensively accounted for their northern opponents, while the Bega Chicks secured a draw against the highly fancied Narooma She-Devils.
A draw is the poorest result yet for the Narooma league-tag outfit, which is yet to lose a game.
Meanwhile, the Roosters under 18s also put on a dominant display to outdo the combined Merimbula-Pambula-Candelo-Bemboka-Eden squad.
Unfortunately, the northern club had to forfeit its reserve grade match, leaving just the three games played at the Bega Recreation Ground in a revised draw.
The first grade match had to be moved earlier to fill in the gap, while the under 18s ran a bit later than originally planned.
After an early lead the Devils nearly ran down the Roosters in the first grade match, getting within six points in the second half.
Roosters president Garry Arkin said it was a “spirited” showing from the visitors to close the margin.
The Devils had come within striking distance as the scores settled at 26-18 halfway through the second period.
The Roosters struck early when Adam Blacka crossed in the opening five minutes of the game after a good ball movement across the backline.
Five minutes later Todd Ingram pried open the Narooma defence with a typical bulldozing charge to cross.
With James Bower-Scott’s kicking on target it was 10-0 after 10 minutes.
However, the Roosters let down their guard after strolling to the early lead and Tyson Moritz returned the favour for the Devils opening points.
In the first half it was Hayden Parbery who stole the show with a scorching 60-metre solo dash off a scrum to cross for a try.
Bower-Scott’s extras put Bega back on top 16-4.
Ingram was again rewarded off another barn-storming run to score.
Then it was Brenton Blair slicing through the Devils’ line to cross.
Bower-Scott maintained his aim and the Roosters surged ahead 26-4.
“Clint Wright the Devils die hard captain-coach put his side deep into Rooster territory prior to the half-time break with intelligent play,” Arkin said.
“And Gunther Hahn powered across out wide to score.
“With Wright’s conversion the half was 26-10.”
Arkin said the Devils were firing to score early in the second break.
Two quick tries out wide for Trey Parsons saw the Devils close in at 26-18.
Bega was under pressure until a turnover of possession saw the home side break out of its own half.
Robbie Ringland set up a big sweeping run which found Blair out wide to extend Bega’s lead to 30-18.
“Mitch Carter started to dominate the rucks and with Scott Fuller and Clay Child driving forward it was Ryan Apps diving over in a barnstorming run to score,” Arkin said.
To make it look easy, Blake Robinson joined in the scoring with a 40-metre dash and then Ringland ran out a 35-metre effort to score at the death.
Arkin heaped praise on the squad, who excelled on the day with strong efforts from Parbery, Blair, Scott Orr, Scott Fuller and Ringland.
However, he acknowledged that Devils had a “huge injury toll” and commended the Narooma club for its effort on the day.
The earlier women’s league-tag match saw the Bega Chicks level 14-14 with their more fancied rivals.
Despite the draw, the She-Devils still remain undefeated.
“The She-Devils were slow out of the blocks and Bega made them pay through Trudi Badullovich running a great line to cross under the posts,” Arkin said.
The Chicks struck again with a great team play shifting wide.
A Georgina Pearce pass found Olivia Dummett, who crossed to put Bega ahead 10-0.
A raid inside the Chicks’ 20 just a minute from the half-time break saw Jody Pitt slip by three defenders to score.
As the siren sounded the Chicks led 10-4.
The second half opened brightly for the She-Devils with a Jamie Anne Wright cross-field kick saw a fumble from the Chicks.
Lily Bennett was in position and scored with Wright banging over the conversion to level 10-10.
With 15 minutes to go the Chicks came to the fore with a strong attacking raid.
Pearce found space to cross and put the Chicks ahead 14-10.
However, Bennett again slipped through the gaps on a fifth tackle kick to level the odds once more.
“With 10 minutes left it was a game of misfortunes as both teams showed tenancity in their tagging, but their final passes were not executed,” Arkin said.
“Threatening raids from both teams came undone at the last hurdle.”