Bega is hosting a blockbuster day of Group 16 rugby league this Saturday, including the elimination final in first grade.
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The Roosters are desperate to redeem themselves in what has been a disappointing back half of the season. They go in as underdogs against a Moruya side who dealt the Roosters a 34-16 blow just last Sunday at Moruya.
After an early setback, the Sharks crossed for three unconverted first half tries with Aaron Brierly and Luke Jay at dummy half providing the spark
Fullback Dennis Green came into his own in the second stanza after the Moruya pack, headed by weyman, Stewart and Scott, dominated the ruck and stormed through Bega’s centre.
Caine Brierly is a likely return for the Sharks, but despite all of this, Bega captain coach Kane Morgan believes his players are “in this game up to their ears”.
Morgan has trump card Ryan Apps back on deck, and his contribution to the side, along with Todd Ingram’s return to the interchange, will give the Roosters a fresh approach in attack.
Morgan is looking for a more combined team effort in defence and wants to see a marked improvement in their kicking game.
“Our effort was good last game, but not good or strong enough,” he said. “We have leaked points all season and I will be challenging our team to put paid to Moruya with a sustained 80 minute effort and I know we can do it.”
Meanwhile, the Bega Chicks will face off against old foe Cooma in a game that has all the earmarks of a real nailbiter, with their two previous encounters going to the Fillies by narrow margins.
Bega missed vital tags in both of these games and the Fillies halves in Morgan and Hayley Kemp along with fullback Matilda Thornton are match winners. The Chicks will look to a good start and Ringland, Holmes, Braunack, Jessop and Parbery will be out to provide the winning platform.
Team manager Tom McCoy said the side trained well and will be ready to turn the tide in the Chicks’ favour.
In the under 18 contest, Bega takes on an improved Cooma side. Although Bega has held the advantage in earlier encounters, the Colts with fullback Jack Hedgers in top form will be a hard nut to crack.
“We fell last week in a disappointing display against Moruya, but we have trained well and with Jed Richards having no case to answer we will have our best available squad on show,” anager Greg Motbey said
“We really need to translate our training into practice on game day and we will look to the experienced players like Joyce, Whitby, Jarryd, Finnerty, Grant and Britten to lead by example.
“Tom Picker is hungry at fullback and if these guys fire we will be in the game.”
Moruya plays Cooma in reserve grade, with the Roosters’ reserves heading up the mountain to take on Merimbula-Pambula in a qualifying semi at the Bombala Showground on Sunday.
Under the guidance of Scott Barton, the Roosters face off against a strong Bulldogs side that boasts former Eden guns Todd Bolton and Ian Smith and Rooster Sean O'Donnell, all experienced campaigners.
The Roosters reserves finished second on the ladder, but Barton has seen his side conceding points in the last two rounds and has worked hard on his structure in an attempt to give his edge players Shepherdson and Parbery the room to put Londero and Fuller away.
“If we play to our structure and get to our kicks we will be right in the mix at the back end of the game,” Barton said.
Sunday’s first grade clash will be a cracker with Bombala Blue Heelers and Merimbula-Pambula both confident of advancing to meet the unbeaten Cooma Stallions in the major semi at Cooma in a week’s time.
Ladies league-tag kicks off at 11.30am Saturday, July 29 ,at the Bega Rec Ground, Under 18s at 12.45, reserves 2.30pm and the main game at 4pm.
Group 16 advises no alcohol and no glass is permitted into Saturday’s four big games.