Wil Fahey evades the North Canberra Bears Defence – Photo by Roaming With Belle
The Boorowa Rovers put in an improved performance on their first-round encounter but unfortunately couldn’t get the job done in their first home game of the season against the North Canberra Bears.
The Bears ran in five tries to one in the first half, taking a commanding 28-6 lead at the break. Boorowa played a man down for much of the game following a controversial send-off of Rovers player Charlie Sullivan.
The score could have been very ugly by full time, however, to their credit the Rovers showed plenty of heart outscoring the Bears in the second half. The 2026 revamped Bears came out growling posting two tries in the first six minutes for a 12-0 lead. Boorowa struck back with a converted try to Josh Dean, but the Bears had their third try in the books inside 13 minutes.
It looked as though the score could have been anything, but both defences settled into their work looking for field position. Boorowa suffered a body blow when Sullivan was sent from the field for misconduct midway through the first half leaving the locals with twelve men.
In the modern game that is virtually a death sentence for the offending team. Late in the half, North Canberra took advantage of the overlap racing in two tries in three minutes to blow the game wide open 28-6 at halftime.
The second half was going to require a big defensive effort by the Rovers and they didn’t disappoint. Unlike the first half, it wasn’t until mid-way through the second stanza that the first points were posted. The Rovers Nick Stevens crossed the stripe on the back of some good backline movement. At 28-10 the locals had a flicker of hope, but the defensive effort with a man down was beginning to take its toll. When the Bears scored their only try of the half with ten minutes left, the result was sealed. Rovers’ fullback Wil Fahey had the final say on proceedings when he scored a well-deserved try to make the final score 34-14.
There were some healthy signs for the Rovers and with the next match at home, a win will be critical even though its only early in the season.
The best and fairest three points went Wil Fahey who was outstanding at full back in attack and defence. Matty Batt got the two points doing a power of work in leading the forward pack and one point to the scheming Josh Dean who is always a danger for the opposition. Matt Batt got the Players Player award.
North Canberra 34 defeated Boorowa 14, Josh Dean, Nick Stevens, and Will Fahey tries, Cooper Cross 2 goals.
In other George Tooke Shield games last weekend, Bungendore 38 defeated Googong 20, Crookwell 32 beat UC Stars 10 and Harden 38 shut out the Snowy River Bears 0.
The league tag encounter saw Boorowa continue to show positive signs as the pushed the Bears all the way with limited player numbers. North Canberra took the victory 22-10, but the game was much closer than the score reflected. Fatigue may have played a roll late in the game as the Bears scored two late tries against a tiring Boorowa defence. The Roverettes have plenty of talent but just need a few players to come off the bench.
Boorowa got off to the worst possible start conceding a try in the first minute of the game.
Fortunately, they regrouped and replied with a try to Lily Porch for a 4-4 scoreline. Defence then dictated the game and when the Bears were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, they took the two points with a goal for a 6-4 lead. Boorowa took the lead 10-6 just before halftime through a try to Gen Carmody which was converted by Imogen Pye.
The halftime lead was short lived as the Bears levelled the score 10-10 with an unconverted try just two minutes into the second Stanza. Both teams’ defences held firm until late in the game the Bears scored two converted tries against a brave Boorowa side that was running on empty. It was a heroic effort by the girls and it’s just a matter of time before they win. If any girls are keen for a game, this side is going places.
The best and fairest points for the league tag went to Lily Porch with three points as she threatened the Bears defence all day. Two points went to Emma Craig who did a power of work and one point went to Alice Dymock who was everywhere in attack and defence. Alice also got the Players Player award.
The other league tag games saw Harden 48 defeat Snowy River 0, Crookwell 20 beat the UC Stars 10 and Bungendore 26 defeated Googong 6.
North Canberra 34 defeated Boorowa 14, Lily Porch, Gen Carmody tries, Imogen Pye 1 Goal.
There are no games to be played this weekend due to Anzac weekend. Round three the following week will see North Canberra host the Crookwell Green Devils, Snow River Bears take on Googong, Harden meet Bungendore in the Grand Final replay at Harden whilst the Boorowa Rovers host a Friday night game against the UC Stars.
Have a great weekend and to all those service men and women both past and present, Boorowa Rugby League say’s thank you for your sacrifice as we commemorate Anzac Day. Lest We Forget.
-Sand Boy
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.