Brahmans win Woodbridge Cup minor premiership

By bos Indicus

Brahmans V Goannas

RUGBY LEAGUE: Henry Lawson Oval at Grenfell was the venue on Saturday for the penultimate round for the Jersey Girls and Brahmans Seniors, the Youth League have a bye next week. The girls got proceedings under way after a hiccup with transport getting to the ground.

Grenfell started strongly and after just two minutes the Jersey Girls were down 4-0. Although the visitors defended well; they ran out of markers on the right and the ‘Girlannas’ crossed in the 15^th minute to lead 10-0. Sam Bailey played strongly all day and with three minutes of the first half remaining, she scored a try for the Jersey Girls to end the first section 10-4 behind.

In the 28^th minute, Grenfell struck again and with the score at 16-4 it would be an uphill battle to claw back some points. Cherrae Smith restored the situation by crossing the chalk followed by a quite remarkable conversion from out wide by Ali Giles. Bron Pollack put in a fine captain’s effort by scoring near the sticks in the 36^th minute; Giles converted to make it 16 points a piece. Kirsten McGhie and Kaylah Smith took the ball up strongly throughout but the Jersey Girls had to settle for the draw.

The Brahman Calves had no such trouble and dominated the Goannas for their 46-6 win. Patrick Quinn was excellent under the high ball and directed play from his fullback position. Marty Smith got their first try after just 5 minutes, followed by Ryan Hughston, Josh Barker, Jeffrey Brown and the diminutive Rhys Butt finished off the first thirty for the 26-0 score line.

Binalong continued their dominant stance for the second stanza; Corey Leggett grabbed two tries, Dylan Arabin crossed in the 41^st minute and kicked five goals for the day. Winger Pat Warren scored in the 56^th minute. The Calves were strong right across the field; they have a bye next week to get ready for semi-finals.

With the first grade table indicating that Eugowra are probably out of contention for a top five spot, Grenfell and Canowindra will have to fight it out for places 4 and 5 next weekend. A strong showing and a win against the Brahmans would have served the Goannas well. It very nearly came off for the hosts; this game was in doubt right up to the 75^th minute.

You can only play as well as your opposition will let you and Grenfell made life very difficult for Binalong all day. The big pair of Steve and Captain Phil Ingram threw everything at the visitors. However, they couldn’t contain Chris Rawlinson after a clever chip and regather, he crossed under the sticks for Sparnon to convert and Binalong were up 6-0 after just two minutes. But in the 12^th minute, Rawlinson took a heavy head knock and went off the field.

Grenfell capitalised five minutes later to make the score 6 a piece. They continued to hold the advantage with field position and possession. Craig Irwin restored the situation in the 26^th minute with a try and it was 10-6 Binalong’s way. But surging runs by the Goannas and unforced errors by the Brahmans allowed Grenfell to score with seven minutes remaining and the visitors were behind 12-10 at half time.

Chris Rawlinson did take the field when play resumed but Grenfell scored again after 10 minutes and the Brahmans looked less confident. Andrew Swaffield and Craig Irwin usually run hard enough to make line breaks but the defence was too good for them. Nevertheless, Ben Spencer rescued the position with his first try for the year and the score was 16 all.

With only 20 minutes on the clock the Goannas struck again after a dropped pass and Binalong were behind 22-16.

Tony Worthy and Ben Potts toiled away as usual, Mick Spencer playing in the front row took some punishment from the Goannas big men with his hit ups. The Brahmans upped the tempo and Andrew Swaffield and Guy Sherrett scored following some brilliant running of the ball by Chris Rawlinson. Phil Sparnon converted both tries and Binalong reclaimed the lead 28-22.

At this point, Grenfell started to loose their composure which cost them two penalty goals near their posts. Phil Sparnon obliged with the boot, Grenfell’s Captain Phillip Ingram was given ten in the bin for dissent. The Goannas scored again but top of the table Binalong won 32-26 and thereby secured the Woodbridge Cup Minor Premiership and a home semi-final. They play Condobolin with two grades at Condobolin next week.

In other results; Burrangong 48 def Condobolin 34, Trundle 58 thrashed Cargo 14, Eugowra 36 def Canowindra 16 and Peak Hill hit some form 44 defeating Gooloogong 14.

Binalong 32: tries; C.Rawlinson, C.Irwin, B.Spencer, A.Swaffield and G.Sherrett. Goals: P.Sparnon (6) def Grenfell 26. Referee: Mr. Luke Brown.

Ladder as at August 13.

Craig Irwin this week. PHOTO: RS.Williams