THE Coffs Comets hosted the Nambucca Roosters on Sunday where four great games of rugby league were played out under clear blue skies, culminating in a first-grade thriller that could have gone either way.
Geoff King Motors Oval in Coffs Harbour had held up well considering the deluge of the previous week.
The home side hit the paddock still riding high from their convincing Round 5 win over Grafton and the visitors came north determined to redeem last week’s loss to Woolgoolga.
The Roosters drew first blood just five minutes into the game thanks to a classy individual try from Cale Ogilvy who chip- kicked the ball between two Coffs defenders 15 metres from the line, recovered the ball and crossed next to the posts, setting up an easy conversion for Dwayne Roberts Jarrett and taking the Roosters lead to 6-0.
Maintaining the pressure on the Comets middle, Nambucca’s Robbie Inglis was next to add to the points, scoring on the back of an attacking play that momentarily outmanoeuvred the Comets defence. The try was converted by Roberts Jarrett and the score went to 12-0
By addressing defence in the centre, Coffs was able to stem the flow of points and, with 25 minutes left in the half, struck back with a Max Sheard try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 12-4.
The points gave the home side a boost. Players began making big metres and five minutes after their first points, Arthur Wilkinson broke through the Roosters line for a try although the extras from a conversion still eluded them.
The Comets closed in 12-8.
The game settled into a real grind for the rest of the half, with opportunities appearing for both teams but neither side conceding points. At half time the score was at 12-8 to the Roosters.
The second half exploded with tries for the visitors, Inglis getting the ball under the posts three minutes from kick-off and Roberts Jarrett adding the extras to take the score to 18-8.
Just three minutes later an early kick from the Roosters got Cam Simon in behind the Coffs defensive line for a try. Roberts Jarrett again on-song with the boot and the Roosters lead grew to 24-8.
It was at this point where the Comets attacking play went up a notch and a cracking intercept close to the line got Sunia Tamale over for a try and a fight-back for the ages began.
This time Jett McCarthy had success with the boot and the points deficit shrunk to 14-24.
The pace of the home side’s attack ramped up and had the Roosters defence scrambling.
A short break in play due to an injury gave players a breather and a chance to reset. The Comets maintained their rage with Kellen Wood scoring, McCarthy converting and, just like that, it was 20-24.
Two minutes later, with the game in the balance, Nambucca’s Robbie Inglis scored another try, Roberts Jarrett having his only miss of the game and the score was at 20-28.
As the game went into its last 10 minutes a spectacular try by Coffs Harbour’s Wake Petera gave notice to the visitors that it was still very much game-on and his converted try took it to a two-point ball game with scores at 26-28.
Three minutes later his teammate Macauley Dawson scored. The try was not converted and the Comets took the lead 30-28.
With four minutes left in the game and members of the large crowd on its feet Nambucca’s Brodie Simon smashed through the defensive line to take the lead back. His try was converted by Roberts Jarrett and the win went to the visitors, the final score Roosters 34 – Comets 30.
The minor grades provided footy fans at Geoff King Motors Oval with three memorable games.
The under-18 clash went to the home side with the Comets chasing down a huge early lead by the visitors to claw back a win 28-26.
The much- anticipated reserve grade game was also won by Coffs Harbour, with both sides playing great football but Coffs Harbour picking up the points 30-18.
The Women’s Tackle match-up was won by the Nambucca Roosters. In defiance of the 38-4 scoreline the home side played well in all aspects their game but were just unable to catch the likes of Wulaaran Walker and Xanthi Hand once they broke through the line.
By Mick BIRTLES
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