PLENTY of sunshine greeted rugby league fans on Sunday at Coleambally, as the day progressed the weather chilled off as the Yenda Blueheelers went into riot mode.
The locals were fielding some wounded and under strength teams and Yenda were to show no mercy. The Blueheelers under 18s, reserve grade and first grade gave the Roosters a good old thrashing but to the Tri-colours credit the white towel never came from the bench. The DPC Under 16s were the only joy for the day.
The DPC Under 16s were up against fourth-placed Yenda. In a great first-half the DPC boys played great football and were able to keep Yenda scoreless until just five minutes before the half time siren and the local boys went into the break with a convincing 24-4 lead.
In the second-half the DPC team must have forgot they had to continue playing football and Yenda came out firing. The Blueheelers were able to score tries at will and came within four points before the Roosters woke up and started playing football again.
With another try to the final tally the locals were able to come away with a 30-40 win. Kieren Cates was named best and fairest and also players’ player after a great game of football.
The DPC under 18s got away to a tentative start but slowly worked back into the grind of the game. Drew Hopwood had a personally outstanding day, starring in the juniors game and then playing a quality role for the first grade, winning the Coly Concrete Man of the Match.
Drew also received the Hoppa Award for starring off the field as well. His brother Aaron is also a former winner of this award, perhaps the award may be re-named the “Hoppy” Award.
While Yenda’s league tag side has greatly improved, the DPC side has a lot of improving to do to be up there with the top sides next year. Jessie Burns was her usual energetic self, diving, kicking and scoring both tries on the day. Ellie Brain worked hard all game and Sally Carroll tagged well but the team went down to Yenda 6-2.
Ben Grace and Travis Oliver put in their usual committed efforts and Mitchell Scifleet is now developing into a first-rate defensive player.
Tommy Coe continues to show his versatility with the Coly Concrete Hard Man of the Match performance in the reserve grade. The top of the ladder Yenda team ran away with the game in the final 20 minutes as their class shone though.
Matt Harrigan and Joden Wallace combined to let the blueheelers know that they were going to be in a contest until the final whistle.
First grade had one of those days where nothing falls your way, and Yenda were unforgiving and put the cleaners though the Roosters. Josh Curphey and Jack Mitchell battled away for the DPC team for the eighty minutes but the score board told the story with the Blueheelers winning 86 to six.
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