Captain Cooper Cross (left ) about to celebrate another try with Boorowa’s lethal Centre Combination of Nick Stephens and Wil Fahey. They have been Standouts in the competition.
The Boorowa Rovers season ended in heart break last Saturday with their premiership dreams dashed by a North Canberra penalty goal after the final siren. After a tremendous second half fightback from an eighteen-point deficit, Boorowa clawed their way back to be level at 34-All, only to see a penalty awarded to the Bears in front of the posts and the rest as they say, was history. Boorowa outscored the Bears by seven tries to six, but two penalty goals ultimately decided the outcome.
Boorowa got off to the worst possible start with the Bears Trent Brown hoisting a wicked kick that he regained to score for an early 4-0 lead. Just three minutes later Boorowa levelled it up when Nick Stephens ran off an Austin Power pass to score out wide. No sooner had the crowd gone for another pie, it was that man Brown again who hoisted another guided missile which he regained to score after nine minutes. Just four minutes later it was obvious this game was going to be a points shootout when Adam Hinds ran off an Austin Power pass to score and bring the lead back to 10-8. With a couple of penalties going against them, Boorowa were beginning to be starved of possession, with the huge Bears pack gaining momentum. The Bears ran in three unanswered tries in just eight minutes that saw the lead blow out to 26-8 with still nine minutes of the half remaining. Another try now may have seen the end for Boorowa but the Rovers never say die attitude saw them pull the lead back to twelve through a little bit of Cooper Cross Magic. On the halfway line, Cross kicked early in the tackle count to catch the Bears defence off guard. A flying Nick Stephens regathered to score in a move that was executed with precision. Supporters caught their breath briefly as the sides went for oranges at 26-14 in favour at the Bears.
Boorowa’s oranges were much more fruitful than the Bears as the Rovers come out firing after the break. After just two minutes, skipper Cooper Cross barged over for Boorowa and at 26-20 it was game on. Twelve minutes into the second half, Austin Power again gave a brilliant ball to Charlie Fogg who planted the ball down out wide for an unconverted try. At 26-24 the Rovers looked to be all over the Bears, but North Canberra steadied with a try of their own to push the lead out to eight at 32-24. Boorowa would not relent and with fifteen minutes left it was the Power Fogg combination down the right side that brought the Rovers to within four points again. The Bears received a gift two points from a penalty to give them a six-point cushion as time became the Rovers enemy. With under three minutes left, Boorowa had the ball in their own half when that man Power off loaded to Wil Fahey who split the defence. In open space, Fahey ran twenty meters before he found support from James Sykes who raced away to score under the posts. Cross converted and after trailing all day, the Rovers has drawn level at 34-34. Just when it looked as though they may need extra time, a penalty against the Rovers for a late hit gifted the Bears a shot at goal after the siren. Boorowa could only watch and prey for a missed kick, but it was not to be. The Bears had done enough to get the victory 36-34. The Bears rejoiced and now take on Crookwell this Saturday.
North Canberra 36: Trent Brown 2 tries, Viliami Fangaiuiha, Wayne Bullock, Matty Burnham, Akuilia Masima tries, Adam Booth 4 Goals, 2 Penalty Goals defeated Boorowa 34: Charlie Fogg 2, Nick Stephens 2, Adam Hinds Cooper Cross, and James Sykes tries, Cooper Cross 3 Goals.
The loss is a bitter pill to swallow, but the Rovers did everything they could with some stand out performances on park. In the forwards, Captain Cooper Cross led by example terrorising the Bears pack. Up front, Murray Armour turned back the clock having a blinder whilst Matt Batt put his stamp on the game with some solid defence. The Boorowa second rowers got hammered all day but never relented dishing out some of their own punishing hits. Josh Noakes was sensational and pound for pound is one of the best forwards in the competition. Matt Canellis made sure the Bears wouldn’t forget him on Monday morning making some brutal hits.
In the backs, Wil Fahey and Nick Stephens threaded the defence all day whilst fullback Austin Power threw some magical passes to the outside backs with Wingers Charlie Fogg and Adam Hinds being on the receiving end to score off some great lead up work. James Sykes at five eighth looked sharp whilst at times halfback Jared Prosser took the ball up like a prop forward.
It was a disappointing way to end the season, but this side kept improving every week. If they can keep the nucleus of the team for 2027, they will be in the mix for a title again. Of course, every team needs a solid supporter base and to all the Boorowa supporters far and wide, a big thank you.
In the Major Semi-final it was the unbeaten Harden Hawks advancing to the Grand Final with a nail biting 20-16 win over Crookwell. The Green Devils had their chances but somehow Harden has always been able to create a win when they have been in tough positions this season. The Hawks should be well rested come Grand Final day.
This weekend will see the Preliminary Finals played in both the George Tooke Shield and league tag competitions. In the men’s and women’s matches, it will be Crookwell taking on North Canberra at Crookwell for the right to play the unbeaten Harden Hawks and Hawkettes in the Grand Finals.
In the GTS, it’s hard to see anything but a Crookwell victory. The Green Devils are always hard to beat at Crookwell and apart from last week’s narrow loss to Harden, they have been in sensational form. These teams have met three times this season, playing each other twice in the last three weeks. The two regular season games were a win a piece before Crookwell blew North Canberra off the park by 46-24 in the qualifying semi two weeks ago. North Canberra will be keen for revenge and will have to start fast like they did against the Rovers. The Bears big men appeared to struggle in the second half last Sunday almost blowing an 18-point lead. Crookwell’s attack is lethal and if their forwards dominate the Bears again, it could be a long afternoon for the Canberra lads. Tip is Crookwell by 12.
In the league tag, Crookwell take on the Bears in what should be a very tight contest. Last week Crookwell ground out a tough win against Bungendore whilst the Bears, although beaten by the Hawkettes, played well enough to suggest they are a chance of beating the She Devils on their own patch. Tip is Crookwell by 6.
We will bring you a summary of these games and a preview of the Grand Finals next week. Enjoy your footy.
-Sand Boy
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