THE Woolgoolga Seahorses and the Nambucca Roosters did battle for a berth in the Group 2 Grand Final on Sunday, in a match-up that played out with every bit of the fire and intensity expected from such a high stakes game.
Great weather conditions for football greeted players and the large crowd at the Solitary Islands Sports Ground in Woolgoolga.
The tone for the game was set early with both sides aggressive in attack and highly disciplined in defence.
With early possession favouring the visitors, Roosters second rower Dean Goodwin was first to put points on the board seven minutes into the game with a line-busting run, placing the ball next to the uprights.
Tyronne Roberts-Davis comfortably kicked the conversion, giving Nambucca a six point lead.
The Roosters’ Jay Melrose extended his side’s lead just six minutes later, scoring under the posts after a well worked attacking move.
Another simple conversion for Roberts-Davis saw the score climb to 12-0.
The points spree continued six minutes later with Nambucca’s Logan Jones outstepping multiple defenders to cross the line, before another Roberts-Davis conversion took the score to 18-0.
Unfazed by the deficit, the Seahorses stuck to their gameplan and settled into an attacking rhythm.
Twenty-seven minutes into the half, Callen Tapine scored a much-needed try under the posts for Woolgoolga, which was converted confidently by Jake Elphick.
With six minutes left in the half, Woolgoolga winger Sharne Perham scored again in the corner, before Elphick kicked a tough conversion to close the gap to 18-12.
In the closing minutes of the half the Roosters got themselves into prime field position and Logan Jones crossed the line for his second try.
After another successful Roberts-Davis conversion, the first half ended with the Roosters in front 24-12.
The opening minutes of the second half were punctuated by a blistering 60-metre run by Roberts-Davis that put his team well in reach of the line and, in the next phase of play, Jay Melrose crossed for his second try of the game.
The game settled down into a tough battle for points, with Woolgoolga having the upper hand in field position.
Capitalising on the possession, the Seahorses’ Cooper Cochrane scored to bring the game to 28-16 with 24 minutes left to play.
With the gap closing, Woolgoolga weren’t done yet, scoring again two minutes later to dissolve the Roosters’ lead to six points.
With plenty of time left on the clock, Woolgoolga continued the onslaught with second row Reeyce Sadler crossing the line next.
The successful conversion tied the game up at 28-28, with Woolgoolga looking the more likely to seal the deal.
The Roosters weren’t ready to lie down however.
With less than 10 minutes on the clock, a penalty gave the Roosters prime field position, paving the way for winger Isaac Jones to cross the line and give his side the lead.
Although the last few minutes of the game was a tense fight for points, the Roosters emerged victorious, with a final score of 32-28.
They now have their sights on back-to-back premierships, taking on Sawtell for Grand Final glory next Sunday.
“I am happy with the team’s performance today and will only have some minor adjustments to our game plan for next week’s grand final,” Roosters coach Warwick Jones told News Of The Area.
Three minor grade games were played before Sunday’s main event.
The Roosters U18s, last year’s premiers, had their season come to an end at the hands of the Grafton Ghosts, going down 18-28 in a quality game of rugby league.
The Ghosts will meet the Macksville Sea Eagles in the Grand Final on Sunday at the C.ex International Stadium Coffs Harbour on Sunday 7 September.
The Nambucca Roosters Women’s Tackle side are also bound for their first Grand Final, convincingly defeating the Grafton Ghosts 36-10 in the Qualifying Final.
They will meet the Woolgoolga Seahorses in Sunday’s Grand Final.
In the Reserve Grade Qualifying Final, the Macksville Sea Eagles got the better of the Coffs Comets 20-14 in a tough game of football that could have gone either way.
Macksville will meet the Woolgoolga Seahorses in next week’s Grand Final.
By Mick BIRTLES
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