The Bega Roosters first grade and league-tag line ups went down to their Bombala Blue Heeler counterparts in icy conditions at Bombala on Saturday.
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However, the reserve grade team stepped up big time to give the club some joy with a resounding 44-0 win to set up a top-of-the-table clash with Moruya next week.
The league-tag clash saw the High Heelers getting the edge 16-12 in a quality showing, while the first grade match up saw Bega go down 34-26 with two intercept tries bursting the game wide open.
“We gifted them intercept tries and our off-the-line defence lapsed twice for their hooker Paul Perkins to catch us napping, crossing for two tries,” coach Kane Morgan said.
Bega flanker Craig Dunham was prominent, but a scrambling defence by Bombala saw them hold him back with the hosts finding the first points.
James Bower-Scott struck back getting into space to send Lee Fuller over on the wing.
The match became an arm-wrestle, but Ricky Stapleton found plunged over out of dummy half to lead 10-6.
Unfortunately, an error saw the Heelers gain possession off the restart and Perkins crossed on the siren.
Then disaster struck after the break with Warne Belolevu scoring under the posts off an intercept before prop Saimi Biaukula crashed over to take a 14-point lead.
Adam Blacka replied to put Bega back in the contest, but another error off the restart saw Perkins strolling across for his second.
Bega looked set for a reply, but Bailey Jones swept up an intercept and bolted 90 metres to score.
Late tries to Stapleton and Zac Cuzner steadied the total with Bombala finishing on top 34-26.
Earlier in the windy conditions, Allan Aldridge had stamped his authority on the reserve grade contest early, storming over for the first try.
With a dour struggle through the front lines, Luke Aldridge and Craig Matthews reveled in the conditions as Blacka put the side 10-0 in front.
Allan again took the initiative and Bega was quickly out to 16-0 before Russell Northey charged across and the Roosters were well in front.
Joel Tamatea crossed for consecutive tries after the break and Northey secured his second.
Steve Fuller and Trent Rollason also crossed in the half to round out the scoring 44-0.
Club officials said the women’s contest played in blizzard-like conditions with both sides showing skill to have minimal errors
Kiarna Rodwell was wreaking havoc for the hosts, swivelling off a play-the-ball to score before a 40-metre dash to score before the break.
Bombala struck again down the left win after the restart before Kezie Apps and Ali Ringland reeled in tries for the Chicks.
The under 18s held a 24-22 win over the Bulldogs.