The Central Coast had a mixed showing at the NSW Country Championships, with the Colts XV taking out the Tier 1 Rowlands Cult Cup and the Seniors XV and Women’s Sevens posting mixed results.
The highlight of the weekend was the great win by the Colts over long time rival Hunter, taking out the Tier 1 Rowlands Colts Cup for the first time in many years.
This team has been in this final many times, but had been unable to secure the win.
However, the Colts finally got through for the victory.
The Colts started the match very well and led by 11 points to nil very early on, after a try to Lachlan Peruch and two goals to Isaac Barnes.
This score line, after only 14 minutes, was the best possible start.
However, the remainder of the match was a very dour battle, with both teams having chances to place final points on the board, it was Hunter who responded, with a try prior to the break, to reduce the lead to 11-5 at halftime.
Hunter kicked a penalty goal early in the second half as well, narrowing the score to 11-8.
Play went from one end of the field to the other, but no points were posted.
At one stage Central Coast had two players in the sin bin, but still they hung on with some very gritty defence.
A penalty goal to the Colts close to fulltime gave them breathing space, with the score 14-8, but they still had to show some very dogged defence late in the match to hang on for victory.
It was a great achievement by this team and the win places them at the top of NSW Country Colts rugby.
The Seniors had a disappointing day on the Saturday.
They had a tough day with two very hard fought clashes.
They were defeated by Far North Coast by 50 to 41, and then lost to Mid North Coast by 23 points to 12.
In both games, the team had their chances, but things just did not go their way.
They were close but just not quite there.
They fought back well on the Sunday, with a very good win over New England by 59 points to 21, but because of the results on the first day, they were not going to appear in the overall winners’ circle.
The Women’s Sevens had two losses early on, but fought very well to record two very pleasing wins in the final matches.
Source:
Media release, May 1
Larry Thomson, Central Coast Rugby Union