Nyngan Rugby Club will host the 2016 Grand Final after a grinding win against the Rams in Coonamble on Saturday.
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Going into Saturday’s game, each side had only one loss each for the season, the Bulls losing earlier in the season to Coonamble, while the tables were turned a month ago with the boys put in a good win against the Rams.
Nathan Jones crashed over at five minutes; a great start to the game. Following an unsuccessful conversion by the Bulls, the Rams settled into their usual structured play leading to a sweeping back line movement across the field to see them score in the corner. Unsuccessful conversion saw the score locked at five all.
Bulls five-eighth Andrew “Pickes” Nicholson was having a blinder, his field kicking regularly gaining 50 metres up field. Despite this, the good field position was not been capitalised by the Bulls as they were dominated in the line-out, which was putting undue pressure on the defence. To their credit, the fitness of the Bulls wore down the tiring Rams forwards.
A run against the play saw the Rams score near the post and convert to take a 12 to five lead. The Bulls regrouped quickly,and good ball movement saw Scotty Brown score. He failed to covert his own try as the Bulls trailed 12 to 10. Just on the stroke of half time the Bulls received a penalty within striking distance, and this time Browny put it over to hit the sheds with a slender 13-12 lead.
The second half saw a see-sawing game develop as each side strove to crack the defence. The Rams crossed again but failed to convert. Man mountain Ryan Sambath then ran wide and took on the Coonamble backs who didn’t have the strength to stop him putting it down in the corner. Ryan’s recent form has been outstanding and he constantly looks dangerous with ball in hand.
A penalty to the Rams saw a familiar looking Pickering slot the penalty with eight minutes remaining, to see them lead 20 to 18.
Fitness started to play a part as the Bulls got themselves in good field position,and then a penalty to the Bulls 35 metres out saw Browny have the chance to book the Bulls straight into a home grand final, which he comfortably did. The Bulls then wound the clock down to come away with the victory.
The large Nyngan supporter base was instrumental, nerves getting the better of Ange Kennedy and Judy Elias as they couldn’t watch in the last minutes of the game.
Finals are a team effort and all players that represented the Bulls, can take credit for the victory. If 2014 repeats itself, where injury struck early,it will be the strength of the bench that gets the team the premiership.
For the points; Gus Cleaver picked up three points and Pickles and Jonesy got two each.
The club wishes the Tigers all the best of luck next week, we hope the town has two grand finals.