James Farrell busting the defence.
The Boorowa Rovers did a demolition job on the Googong Goannas last Saturday and, in doing so, have given themselves an outside chance of winning the Minor Premiership in the final round of the George Tooke Shield this weekend.
Boorowa showed no mercy on the Goannas as they piled on fourteen tries in a ruthless attacking display. Needing a big win to boost their for and against percentage, the Rovers piled on the points in the first half to lead 40-0 at halftime before reaching 78-0 at full-time and ending the slaughter.
Googong started the game well, mounting an attack on the Boorowa tryline in the early minutes, but that was to be one of the few times where Googong had the ball in the Boorowa red zone.
After the first try was scored by Boorowa fullback Austin Power, it was an endless procession of tries being scored as the back-line ran at will. Power scored four tries whilst Josh Dean and Cooper Cross picked up doubles. The best and fairest points this week went to Nick Stephens with three points after he carved up the Googong defence all day, including a sensational 80 metre try.
Ned Evans made a welcome return in the forwards, picking up two points with a strong game. One point went to Cooper Cross, who was superb in general play and with the boot, kicking goals from all parts of the park and scor-ing two tries in the space of two minutes for an overall points tally of 30. Ned Evans got the Player’s Player award.
In other games last weekend, in the battle of the bears, North Canberra 24 beat Snowy River 18. Harden 22 drew with Bungendore, and Binalong 40 beat a spirited UC Stars 12. Crookwell had the bye. The draw between Bungendore and Harden was exactly what Boorowa needed.
Round 15 ladder: Bungendore 20, Crookwell 20, Boorowa 18, Harden 17, Binalong 13, North Canberra 10, Snow River Bears 8, Googong 4, UC Stars 0. All teams have had the bye except Bungendore, who have the bye in the last round, so Bungendore will stay on 20 points.
This weekend is the final round of the regular season, and the match of the round will be between Boorowa and Crookwell. The scenario for Boorowa is simple. Win by 15 points and they take the minor premiership and get week one of the finals off. Win by less than 15 and they will finish in second with a home final beckoning in the first week, probably against Crookwell.
Should Boorowa lose and Harden win, the Rovers could still slip to fourth place with a likely home semi-final sudden-death match against Binalong. Harden will be hoping Boorowa lose so they can secure third spot and most likely play in the major semi against Bungendore at Bungendore.
A Crookwell win would see them take out the minor premiership, and Boorowa would most likely be relegated to the elimination final unless the winless UC Stars find divine intervention and beat Harden at Harden. Regardless of this week’s results, Binalong will finish in fifth spot and play away in the sudden-death semi-final.
The Boorowa V Crookwell match could well be a semi-final, if not a grand final preview. These two teams last met in Round 7, with Crookwell winning 22-20 at Crookwell. Home ground advantage is massive, as very little separates the two teams. Crookwell has been flying under the radar all season, but with so much on the line this weekend, they will be making plenty of noise on and off the park.
After losing two in a row last month, the Rovers have found their mojo again and have not lost at home this season. Their young forward pack continues to grow in confidence, and the backline has been electric, having scored the most points of any club this season. With a reasonably dry track expected this weekend, it should suit the Rovers’ entertaining back-line.
At home with a parochial crowd behind them, Boorowa should win. Tip: Rovers by eight points.
In other games this week, Snowy River Bears host Googong in a battle for pride only, Harden are home against the UC Stars and need to win, chasing a top-three spot, whilst North Canberra play Binalong in Canberra, with this game not influencing the finals.
Don’t forget that the Rovers game will be starting at the earlier time of 1.30 pm this Saturday to allow the Rovers and supporters time to watch the Goldies win the big one. It is also Old Boys Day, so it would be great to see all the Rovers from yesteryear bring out their old jerseys and relive their glory days.
Finally, the Boorowa Rovers wish the Goldies all the best in their Grand Final clash with the Harden Red Devils this Saturday. The Goldies have been the best side all year, and it would be fitting for them to take the title on their home ground.
Go Goldies!! See you at the footy.
– Phil Coggins
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.