The Candelo-Bemboka Panthers had a scrappy last hurrah in the group 16 rugby league season with Bega enjoying the spoils.
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The league-tag Pink Panthers went down to the Bega Chicks 40-0, while reserve play degenerated into a brawl with Bega scoring a late flurry of tries to win 30-16.
A Candelo-Bemboka player was sin-binned while another Panther and a Bega Rooster were both sent from the field for the altercations late in the second half.
Early play had been an arm-wrestle for possession of play through the ruck where handling errors marred opening passages from both teams.
The Panthers struck first on the scoreboard with front rower Haywood Fraser crashing over the line for a 6-0 lead after Josh Cochrane added the conversion.
There was plenty of to and fro through the middle with Wade Irvin, Justin Towney and Cochrane adding more tries to the tally, locking up scores at 16-16 early in the second half.
However, with about 15 minutes to go, play broke down as the two sides grew increasingly frustrated with the deadlock.
With a semblance of order restored, the Roosters found gaps to capitalise with Jack Griffin scoring in the right corner before Trent Galli made a 50-metre break.
It was the final match of the year for the Panthers, while the Roosters will move ahead with the minor premiership.
First grade play was fast and physical with the Roosters and Pambula-Merimbula Bulldogs providing a classy match for the large Bemboka crowd.
The scoreline of 24-10 didn’t fully encompass the quality of play on offer from both teams with the Roosters making better use of some clever outside-inside passing and line breaks by the front rowers.
Captain Ryan Apps carved some incisive runs through the centre with support from Grant Jessop, Ricky Stapleton and Scott Fuller.
Bega celebrations continued with the Bega Chicks bagging two strong wins 36-20 over the Hot Doggies and 40-0 over the Pink Panthers.
Joccoaa Rogers was in her usual good form, while Taelar Williams scored off some hard-running and Fiona Holmes worked tirelessly.
Despite some fractious passages, the club was able to finish on a high note with “Ray Day” donations to help Ray Ryan battle cancer exceeding $2500 on Sunday.