Nyngan Tigers captain-coach Stewart Mills expects a much better performance from his team in the Group 11 semi-finals, despite a high-scoring display while beating Dubbo Westside 66-18 on Sunday. It brought to an end a tough season for Westside, but despite taking on one of the best teams in the competition, the players kept their heads in it until the 80th minute.
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The Tigers ran in 12 tries, including seven in the first half, but Mills was far from pleased. His team finished the regular season in second place, and have strung together six straight wins, but Mills felt his team were disappointing compared to their form while beating Dubbo CYMS 14-0 last week.
Mills said he didn’t think it was a hangover from the intensity of last week’s giant-killing performance “I think the boys weren’t ready for the game. We’ll head back to the drawing board on Tuesday,” he said.
Nyngan opened the scoring after just five minutes, with veteran forward Todd Rope getting over the try line. The Tigers continued to press their advantage, doubling their score to 12-0 when Reece Goldsmith scored a converted try.
A mistake from a kick by the hosts allowed Nyngan to get their third in 14 minutes through Robert Gudgeon. At that stage it looked like the visitors were heading for a big win but Westside hit back with two of their own, through Ty Blanchett and Carl Ralph to close the gap to 18-12.
It was a brief interlude to Nyngan’s dominance. Tries to Crete Wakka, Brett Howard, a second for Rope and Sam Simmons gave them a 40-12 lead at half-time. The situation was made worse for Westside as they had Carl Ralph sin binned with seconds to go in the first half.
The second half was scrappier and Nyngan didn’t have the same attacking focus. They still ran in tries, with Simmons completing a hat-trick and Rope a double but the try of the half went to the Rabbitohs, with Sam Coe making a run before getting a flick pass to Ralph to score his second.
Rope capped a big game for the Tigers with the final conversion, while Simmons was a constant danger. For Westside, Blanchett took on the line, while Coe provided some spark. Mills said he is expecting better in the coming weeks.
-by Mark Rayner
RUGBY LEAGUE
The Tigers rounded out the competition rounds with a 66 to 16 victory over Dubbo Westside to see us finish on 23 points just one shy of minor premiers CYMS. This sets up a home semi-final this Sunday where we will take on the Forbes Magpies for the right to advance to the grand-final qualifier the following week against CYMS.
The game against Westside never reached any great heights with out boys just doing what they needed to get the points. Loma and Tinui were good in the middle as was Norman and old Luke who came up with two tries. He also played the full minutes which was a big effort. In the backs Gudjo was good as were Boo and Simmo. Simmo scored three tries an also kicked off a swag of goals. Dek's men made hard work of it in their class.
They were down 24 to six at half time but rallied around in the second half to storm home and grab a 30 all draw which was enough to secure second spot on the table. Stan Lord pulled us out of trouble in the final ten minutes. Two tackles he made resulted in tries for the Tigers. The last one he scored himself and left Matty Sheather with the conversion from the sideline to tie up the scores.
The under 18s also came away with the win in a fairly scrappy affair, we fell to Westside's level at times but did enough when we had to. Our 16 year olds again stood tall. Due to a variety of reasons we were only able to field 13 payers and all the boy's showed plenty of grit. Cooper and Terry Ryan were great once again, Terry's defence on his edge was first class he also scored a nice try.
Daniel Stanley was also a standout in the forwards. Owen Kennedy and Fletcher Jackson were powerful. Fletch is improving each game, his defence was awesome, he also carried the ball strongly. The under 18s will travel to Parkes on Saturday for the minor semi where we will take on Parkes. The bus will leave the BP at 11am on Saturday morning and all spectators are urged to jump on the bus and cheer the boys on.
The league tag went down to Westside. Our girls finished just outside the top five, but can be well pleased with their season. Well done girls.
A big wrap to Troy Richards and Dave Buchanan for the job they have done. It will be a super day on Sunday at Larkin Oval. With the League Tag starting proceedings at 10.30am with Westside coming up against Forbes that will be followed by the Reggies where the Might Tigers will lock horns with CYMS.
The under 18s clash will be a beauty with the two Dubbo sides CYMS and Macquarie Raiders doing battle before the main event. See the Tigers run out to a full house to take on the Magpies. See you Sunday.
-by Trevor Waterhouse
Rugby Union
The Bogan Bulls had a practice run for the semi-final on Saturday and came out on top against the Brewarrina Brumbies. The Boys travelled west to play the Brumbies on their home turf and won 22 to five. Giving them the psychological edge this coming Saturday, when they meet the Brumbies again in the first round of semi-finals. President Greg Moody was delighted by the boys performance on Saturday.
Wingers Jayden Bonello and Alex Miles had plenty of opportunities to stretch the Brumbies defence. Miles scored a try and barnstorming back rower Apenisa Waqawai also got in on the action with one of his own. His strong showing saw him pick up the three points for the Bulls best. Simon Bell was back on top form. Twice in five minutes he coped heavy hits, the perpetrators both receiving yellow cards but he bounced back up. The addition of Jackson Hedges into the centres with his clever ball playing skills often put teammates through a gap and he had a fine game.
Eddie Crossland was elusive and his kicking in general play is a feature of his game. After kicking 15 from 15 in his last three games, Sheridan Farley brought his wobbly boot to Brewarrna. Uncharacteristically missing his first three conversions before nailing a sideline beauty to regain his mojo. His work rate in the forwards is very consistent. This week Semi final action is at Larkin Oval. Nyngan versus Cobar in second grade at 1.30pm and first grade to follow Nyngan versus Brewarrina.
Bowls
We were a couple of players down but still great bowls. The first game, between Dooreen, Jean and Shirley and Maureen. Dooreen and Jean started off well but their opposition was too good and won ten to five. Up next was Jacki and Dorothy who were too good for Doreen and Jean five to three. The final was over four ends and saw Shirley and Maureen had a win over Jacki and Dorothy six to two. Dorothy wasn't feeling well but came to watchi. Don't forget Thursday afternoon at 2pm.
Golf
The chalkies were out in force on Sunday's Ambrose. First up was Tristan Dal Forno and Michael Gibson with three under par round of 65 and a nett score of 58. Four birdies and just the one bogey for them. With 58.5 nett was Toby Miles and new bloke in town Rick Partridge. Toby is more of a cricketer than a golfer and Rick's ability is unknown but they put together a very good score. Tim Tulenew and Pat Walsh also were three under and had 59.5 nett.
After them were six teams around the 61 mark. Highlights were an eagle on the 16th by Tim and Pat and a windy by one of our better golfers Chook the Tiger. Saturday was a stroke for the August Medal. Barry Howell who has a generous handicap these days fell over the line with a 66 nett, two triples and two double bogeys on the back nine. Almost sunk him after his red hot first nine. Pat Walsh just missed with a 67 nett, Les Dorrington, Nate Matheson and Greg Corby all had 68 nett.
Mid-week competition Helen Rose just got there with 36 points. Rosei had 23 points on the front nine and then the wheels fell off in the back section. Dolly Ryan with 35 points had a similar game to Helen with 21 for the front and 14 for the back. Pin winners were Dorro, Ozzie, Barry, Tex, Peto, Tim and a double to John Wynne. Next Saturday is a par event. Sunday is a four ball medley Stableford. Badge draw, $300.