Young Cockies Finish On Win Heading Detail
The NSW Country Cockatoo Colts have wrapped up their five match representative program with a come from behind 26 – 21 win over the Victorian Colts at Nelson Bay.
Country dominated possession and field position for the majority of the match, but made heavy weather of putting points on the board due to wrong option taking, poor handling and ball security.
The opening ten minutes of play was all Country with the forwards winning a mountain of ball at the set piece and breakdown, but several scoring opportunities were lost when the ball was dropped or turned over.
Victoria opened the scoring in the 11th minute when they finally worked play into Country’s half, with flanker Peter Samu running through some weak defence to score a converted try to take Victoria out to a 7 – 0 lead.
Country again mounted pressure within the opposition half, but time and time again the ball went to ground or solid Victorian defence denied them putting points on the board. They were finally rewarded when a backline raid was stopped short of the line, and from the ensuing ruck lock Sam Clements powered over to score a converted try and the scores were locked at 7 all.
The match started to open up with both teams attempting to run the ball, but the defences held until the 32nd minute when the Victorian fullback AJ Sheck fielded a misdirected kick and raced forty five metres down the sideline to score in the corner. Sheck converted his own try from the sideline and Victoria went out to a 14 – 7 lead.
With the clock winding down in the first half Country attacked the Victorian line, and after six phases five eight Joshua McGlynn scored a converted try to make the score 14 all at the break.
Country went on the attack from the restart and after mounting pressure in the Victorian twenty two lock Daniel Ryan bobbed up outside the winger to score an unconverted try for Country to take the lead 19 – 14.
Both teams started to throw the ball around with play going from one end of the field to the other, but neither side was able to score. Victoria got the initial break in the 50th minute when they pounced on a dropped ball in their own half, and play swept down field before flanker Nathan Pailia scored a converted try to take Victoria out to a 21 – 19 lead.
Country increased the tempo and again dominated possession and field position, and after laying siege to the Victorian line hooker Charl van Neikerk carried two defenders over the line in the 60th minute to take Country out to a 24 – 19 lead. Scott Burgess’ sideline conversion took Country out to a seven point lead, their biggest for the match.
The final ten minutes saw both sides attack at every opportunity, but neither could add to their respective scores and Country ran out winners 26 – 19.
Country Cockatoo Colts – 26
Sam Clements, Josh McGlynn, Daniel Ryan & Charl van Neikerk Ties, Scott Burgess 3 Conversions
Defeated
VRU Colts – 19
3 Tries & 3 Conversions