The Jersey Girls celebrate winning their match against Condobolin on Sunday. Photograph by Richard Glover.

With the Waldren Constructions Brahmans senior side already booked for a Grand Final appearance on September 20th, the focus shifted to the Jersey Girls and Brahmans ‘Calves’ at Eugowra last Sunday.

The Jersey Girls led Binalong off to a mixed day of success by playing exceptionally well; they all ran onto the ball nicely against a very committed Condobolin defence. On Binalong’s third touch of the ball from the kick-off, Captain Bron Pollack sliced through the Ramette’s defence to score under the sticks, Ali Giles converted for the 6-0 lead.

Lisa Naughton spread the ball well and everyone defended effectively from start to finish. A feature of the match was the all in crashes where the girls were sent flying in most spectacular fashion.

At the half way mark of the opening stanza, Condo spread the ball wide to the left through their very effective pivot Tyuanna Goolagong and they scored in the corner. Then at the 17th minute Cherrae Smith crossed with a nice try, Giles missed the shot for a 10-4 lead.

However, at the 21st minute and following a rare knock-on, the Ramette’s struck again for the half time 10-8 score line.

Maddie Miller opened the second half looking as threatening as she had in the first and put Cherrae through again only for the ref to call held when both tags were still on. The play broke down there and then but Smith had clear air in front, one would hate to see a close game decided on a call like that.

Madeline Brayshaw had a great game down the left and made breaks time and again. Lucy Hammond defended well but it was Kaylah Smith, Jess Howard and Bron Pollack who were full of running. Jess Howard bagged the last try for the Jersey Girls 16-8 win and a Grand Final appearance against Eugowra next Sunday.

The Under 18’s team followed in a match that saw them open in full fury, both teams went at each other from the outset and the whole game was played at a cracking pace. Some of the tackling was breathtaking, but as the opening minutes ran away, one got the impression that Peak Hill may have gone out too early.

With tries to Sam Merceica, Rhys Butt and Marty Smith in the first 18 minutes and Dylan Arabin’s conversions, the ‘Calves’ were 18-0 up with ten to go. Peak Hill had other ideas and scored three times in six minutes for the 18-14 oranges break.

The second half would in some respects be a very sad one. The fabulous Rhys Butt try down the left and Marty Smith’s penetrating runs now in the past; the game came to a full on arm-wrestle. Jayden Pennell became involved in a war of word with the Rooster’s forwards; Jayden won the battle with a well earned try to bring up a handy 22-14 lead in the 39th minute.

The Roosters responded 3 minutes later for 22-20. Following a charge-down of a clearing kick, Captain Dylan Arabin bolted for the left corner and scored in the 44th minute. The kick went wide and at 26-20 the game was wide open.

Disaster struck at the 50th minute with a serious injury to Binalong’s back rower Tom Foster and the match was halted for almost 50 minutes. When the game resumed, the Calves gave away penalties where they should not have and mistakes cost them. In an attacking position, a stolen ball got the Roosters across the chalk for 26 a piece and the first time Binalong had not led the game in almost 54 minutes of football.

Then the heart breaking field goal in the closing minutes let the Peak Hill side into the Grand Final with a 27-26 win. Probably not the right result but this was one of those “glorious uncertainties of sport”?

Tries; S.Merceica, R. Butt, M.Smith, J.Pennell and D.Arabin. Goals .Arabin (3) 26, Peak Hill 27. Referee: T.Newell

In the first grade fixture, Peak Hill were outclassed 44-26 by the Trundle Boomers. This now sees Binalong up against Trundle in the Woodbridge Cup Grand Final at 2:00pm next Sunday 20th September at Cranfield Oval. In the Youth League game Eugowra will face off against Peak Hill at 12:40pm and the Jersey Girls will confront Eugowra’s Golden Eagles in league Tag at 11:30am.

bos Indicus.