Country Cockatoos retain Maher Ross Cup

The GrainCorp NSW Country Cockatoos rugby union team have retained the Maher Ross Cup with a three tries to one (20 – 10) victory over NSW Subbies at Terrigal

 

As has been the case in previous encounters, the match was an arm wrestle from the kick off until the full time whistle, and the healthy crowd at The Haven Oval were treated to some entertaining rugby. Subbies had first use of a steady north easterly breeze in the first half, but it was the Cockatoos who had the better of the play in the opening 10 minutes, and they should have taken an early lead, but a short ranged penalty kick was wide of the mark. Subbies’ defence held and the first time they ventured into the Cockatoos half they were rewarded when five eight Dan Kelly kicked a 30 metre penalty goal to take a 3 – 0 lead following a Cockatoos’ infringement at the breakdown.

Subbies maintained the pressure and had the opportunity to go further ahead when the Cockatoos were again penalised, but the easy kick was waved away and the score remained unchanged. Subbies picked up the pace and went on the attack, which saw the Cockatoos having to scramble in defence close to their line on several occasions. The big Subbies pack was starting to get a roll on, which enabled their backs to mount sweeping raids. One of these should have resulted in a try when the inclusion of an extra man created an overlap, but the final pass went to ground with the try line wide open.

The Cockatoos defence continued to hold, with a highlight being the fierce contest for the ball at the breakdown. A turnover was eventually achieved resulting in Man of the Match and flanker Josh Stewart making a 50 metre bust, which was carried on by a series of pick and drives before centre Filisone Pauta powered over for an unconverted try for the Cockatoos to take the lead 5 – 3. Play for the next 15 minutes was centred between the 22s with both sides testing each other out, but Subbies were the ones who eventually broke the deadlock. A line out win saw a driving maul scatter the Cockatoos’ forwards and back-rower Jake Wainwright came up with a try.

The conversion from the sideline by Dan Kelly saw Subbies take a 10 – 5 lead, and it looked as if the momentum of the match had swung Subbies way. This remained the score line until half time, and Subbies would have been disappointed they weren’t further ahead given the missed scoring opportunities and the use of the breeze. The second half was only four minutes old and the Cockatoos came right back into the match. A line out win saw their forwards drive deep into the Subbies 22, before the ball was put through the hands and winger Scott Burgess sidestepped his way to score in the corner to lock up the score at 10 all. The sideline conversion looked to be on target before the breeze took hold of it and it was waved away.

Subbies had an opportunity to take the lead five minutes later, but the close range penalty attempt missed which was a let off for the Cockatoos. The arm wrestle continued for the next 15 minutes which was highlighted by tough defence and aggressive play, which eventually resulted in a player from each team being sent to the sin bin. Midway through the half, the Cockatoos took control of the match when a crashing tackle jolted the ball free which centre Lee Russell gathered and powered through several tackles to score next to the goal posts. The successful conversion by Scott Burgess saw the Cockatoos skip away to a 17 – 10 lead and they were on a roll.

Subbies had an opportunity to close the gap fi ve minutes later, but the penalty kick was a shocker which sliced into the Cockatoos’ in goal and it was hurriedly kicked into touch. The kicking horrors for Subbies continued when they again missed an easy penalty attempt two minutes later, which again enabled the Cockatoos to clear the ball from their danger zone. With the clock winding down, both teams cleared their benches and the intensity of the match increased, but neither side was able to make any try scoring opportunities.

Just when it looked as if the scoring was complete, the Cockatoos were awarded a penalty right on the sideline 30 metres out. Scott Burgess hit the kick sweetly but it looked as if it was going to be held up in the wind, but it hit the cross bar and bounced over to make the final score 20 – 10.

GrainCorp NSW Country Cockatoos – 20 Scott Burgess, Filisoni Pauta & Lee Russell Tries Scott Burgess Penalty Goal and Conversion

Defeated NSW Suburban Rugby Union – 10 Jake Wainwright Try Dan Kelly Penalty Goal and Conversion.

 

Media release,
19 May 2014
Larry Thomson, Central
Coast Rugby Union