When the best footballers from Group 20 lined up on Saturday to take on Group 9, it was a few Roosters who stood out from the pack.
Darlington Point Coleambally Roosters Pat Bowditch, Kane Simpson and Josh Fattore all starred for their under 18s side while despite limited touches on the wing, Blake Schaeffer showed why he’s always hard to handle.
The 18s put in a dominant display in the first half, thanks largely to Simpson’s play in the Hooker role.
He was dynamic in attack which resulted in a 12-6 half-time lead.
The second half proved more of the same with Bowditch setting the scene right from the get-go.
Off the kickoff to start the half, he made a powerful run up the guts which set the tone.
Josh Fattore used his fancy footwork to beat a couple Group 9 players to get over for his first try of the game.
Soon after he thought he’d run in his second of the day when a bomb fell right in his lap.
Unfortunately it was deemed another player knocked on so it was called back.
Group 20 ran out 26-16 winners.
In the seniors match, Rooster Josh Vievers was up there for man of the match despite seeing his side go down 34-24.
Some rock-solid defence stopped Group 9 in their tracks early on.
Group 20 battled out of tough situations brought about by some loose carries of the football to still be deadlocked at 0-0 20 minutes in.
At half-time, Group 9 led 6-2.
The second half proved bad news for both Group 20 and the Roosters.
Chris Latu went down ten minutes into the half with an ankle injury.
It’s hoped that he will return to action in a few weeks time.
in the end Group 20 put up a valiant effort but were outmatched.
They fell 34-24.
The combined Riverina side will be picked from these set of games.
