Darlington-Point Coleambally has gone down in the final game of the Group 20 regular season.

The Waratahs ran in nine tries to four in a 48-22 win over the Roosters at the Exies Oval on Saturday night.

The Roosters were first to score through Kyle Charles.

A bit of luck went the Waratahs way when the resulting kick off hit the cross bar and trickled into touch to give the home side possession.

The Waratahs then hit back with three tries to give themselves a 12-point buffer

It was the Roosters to get the next piece of luck when they regained possession from the next kick off.

On a last tackle play, Nick Briggs charged onto a ball to cross and bring the score back to 16-10.

Tries just before and just after half-time to the Waratahs – one being a length of the field intercept try to Brad Saunders – gave the Waratahs momentum.

Defence went to another level for the next 10 minutes before Waratah Niko Lelei scored his second for the day.

DPC captain-coach Clinton Green (shoulder) and prop Chris Latu (head knock) came from the field shortly after to leave DPC short on troops.

The score looked like it might blow out as Ben Vearing gave the Waratahs a 30-point lead.

However, DPC rallied and both sides traded tries in the final minutes to round out the match.

The result sees the Roosters finish fourth on the ladder. They will play West Wyalong next weekend.

The leaguetag girls finished their season off in style with a 34-8 victory over an under-strength Griffith Waratah Tigers outfit.

Shanna Kissell kicked off the scoring for DPC but it was Breeanna Coelli with two tries who was the star of the show.

The reserve grade side went down, as did the under 16s.

DPC will have four teams in the finals with the 16s, 18s, reserve and first grade side all making it through.

SENIORS

With a performance built on pressure and belief, Coleambally’s premiership campaign is back on track as they booked a spot in next Sunday’s second semi-final with an upset win over The Rock-Yerong Creek.

Seven days after their season threatened to implode in a 98-point loss to East Wagga-Kooringal, the Blues returned to Gumly Oval and exorcised some demons with a 4.12 (36) to 2.3 (15) victory.

Coach Josh Hamilton paid tribute to his players for turning things around.

“I’ve just got a great bunch of blokes, that’s what makes my job easy,” Hamilton said. 

“It’s not about me yelling at them. When they decide to turn it on, they turn it on, simple as that.”

Turn it on they did, with a desperation and desire that kept the Pies out of the contest.

“Just pressure – we get ourselves into games by pressuring sides,” Hamilton said.

Passing showers made for a greasy surface but the first-year coach insisted Coly’s advantage was composure, not the conditions.

“Last week we got our pants pulled down,” he said.

“People can say what they like about wet weather or dry weather but when we turn up to play, it’s a different story.”

It was hard to argue when the Blues were the only team to look like opening it up.

The Southern Inland rugby grand final was a higher scoring affair but Coly’s scoring shots (16 to 5) told the tale better than the total.

They dominated possession – and an opposition who won a grand final last year with 16 scoring shots.

Graham O’Connell kicked the only goal of the first term but Coleambally could’ve kicked another three, while the Pies were held scoreless.

The second quarter wasn’t as dominant but veteran Billy Cerato controlled much of their play – and wasn’t afraid to unleash a torpedo or two – while fellow midfielder Drew Kenna brought drive.

And they could’ve blown the game apart early in the third quarter when they had all the run, but there were three more behinds before Jake Breed found their third goal for a 24-point lead. 

All those misses threatened to come back to haunt Coleambally when TRYC co-coach Andy Carey narrowed the margin to 18 points with his side’s first goal after the three-quarter-time siren.

And fellow co-coach Andrew Clarke – thrown forward in desperation – kicked another early in the last quarter.

But the Blues weren’t about to let it slip and Nathan Jones iced the game with his second goal as Coleambally booked a rematch with the Hawks at Robertson Oval.

“A 100-point loss will knock the wind out of anyone – it certainly did to us,” Hamilton said.

“Today is hopefully going to give the boys a bit more belief – to be on the front foot next week, take it to them (EWK) and see if we can get ourselves into a grand final.”

The game was also milestone making for Tony Pound who chalked up 300 games and Blake Jones who played in his 100th.

The Blues Reserve grade side bowed out of the final series after a gallant effort against the Rock.

They fought hard all game and were only trailing by 7 points at half time but the Pies got away in the end after a couple of injuries meant the Coly boys were left a man short in the second half. The final score was: TRYC 11.22-88 def. CFNC 5.9-39.

Coly’s best players: Tom Fuller, Sam Casey, Glen Eddie, Anthony Mannes, Lachlan Vogan and Will Lyell.

Goal kickers: Daniel Tuohey 3, Anthony Mannes and Jack Weymouth-Smith.

The Under 17s had a competitive encounter against the Temora Roos in their first finals game. Coly lead from the opening siren but the Roos narrowed the gap on several occasions. Inaccurate kicking from the opposition helped maintain the Blues lead and they ended up running away 13 point winners with the final score being 8.16-60 to 6.11-47.  Coly will now take on the Northern Jets in the next round of finals. 

The Blues best players included: Chris Hayes, Ryan Mannes, Blake Goudie, Jack Cullen, James Lyell and Cooper Smith.

Goal kickers: Blake Goudie 2, Chris Hayes 2, Ryan Mannes 1, Darcy Mader 1, Harry Tooth 1 and Jack Hudson 1.

SENIORS

The Coleambally A reserve side went down to the Northern Jets in the Qualifying Final in a disapointing five goal defeat after leading for most of the game. The side will have to refocus for their next game against The Rock.

The CFNC played host to the eight other clubs  involved in the SWJ League on Saturday at the Community Club. It was a successful night for the club with 3 players, Sally Foster, Charlotte Young and Chris Haynes finishing in the top five votes for best and fairest with Foster finishing runner up in Under 13s netball.

Danny Graham and Kate Jones were also recognised as Coach of the Year in their respective sports.

This week the ladies played the Monthly Medal, which was won by Eve Kerr with Margaret King runner up.

Joyce Chirgwin won the putting and the ball comp was won by Carolyne Rutledge and Joyce Chirgwin.  The 9 hole competition was won by Elaine Gorey and Cath Callaghan won the putting.

The raffle was won by Cath Callaghan.