The Brahman Calves faced off with the Trundle Boomers in Youth League on Saturday as Canowindra Tigers do not have a team for 2016. The little Boomers made the long trek to Binalong with a good bench, by contrast the homeside could only field 12 players and both teams played without a lock.
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Trundle started with gusto in their resplendent green and gold colours and seemed to have the upper hand for almost 10 minutes of the first half. However, the Binalong squad handled the pressure comfortably until Dylan Arabin pressed the go button and scored himself. Arabin had a wonderful day and scored two tries and kicked 5 goals for his juniors and then backed up in first grade for their first try.
By the 16th minute, Dylan Arabin had his second and Dylan Downie had grabbed the first of his double as had Jake Arabin. Marty Smith chimed in but Trundle claimed a 6 pointer for the 28-6 half time score.
As the second half clocked on, halfback Lane Gaudie grabbed a try but the boys had their usual sleep and allowed the visitors two tries for the 34-14 score.
This is a very fine group of juniors, who play most of their games like men with ten more years maturity and never seem rattled, always in control with a better than even chance of a premiership in 2016.
However, the senior side will need a massive turnaround in fortunes to be even a chance of fifth position in the first grade competition; to play these juniors up a grade is risky in the extreme. They wrapped up the match 44-20 but with only 14 registered players to their credit, they need rest.
The Jersey Girls took the field in their new 2016 strip for the first time and if the Trundle Juniors looked resplendent, the Binalong Girls looked staggering in their blue, pink and white colours. As sharp as the Binalong team looked, the Canowindra girls were a little sharper and a few handling errors by the hosts led to a half time deficit of 12-0.
The Jersey Girls are a competent and confident squad that seldom gets their heads down and rallied courtesy of tries by Jess Cribb and Em Banks to win the second half but lose the game 12-10.
With little to gain against one of the top three teams in the Woodbridge Cup first grade competition, the Waldren Construction Brahmans went out at 3pm to face certain oblivion and a possible 72 nil score line. It didn’t happen. Starved of possession and field position, the home side reluctantly endured a withering attack by the Tigers to be down 20-0 after 14 minutes. The Canowindra pair of Tina and Torato were everywhere and creating havoc.
Without warning, half Rod Freeman and Tim Regan clicked into gear with surging runs and suddenly the famed Brahmans had an effective attack. This seemed to rattle the visitors and Dylan Arabin crossed their chalk. For the next 16 minutes, the premiers had the ascendancy, however, the Tigers recovered and at half time it was 26-16 to Canowindra. This was a vastly better showing by the hosts than the previous week against Burrangong. Players were talking and moving to smother an attack, taking the ball up with enthusiasm and attacking with more vigour.
More importantly, all the team were in unison and seemed to have more fitness and looked good. They were under pressure again in the second stanza; with unanswered tries against them the demeanour of the team was better. Cuz Merritt and Tumba Adams were leading up front, Drew Arabin was punching holes in the Tiger’s defence and the evergreen veterans in Beau O’Mara and Max Giles were all putting some starch into a team that needed it. The Brahman’s faithful loved it.
Not to take anything away from Canowindra, they were very good and a champion side but Binalong had them pinned for more minutes than their coach would have liked during this game. There was more to like from the Brahmans efforts than in previous weeks - ‘Youth League’ Arabin kicked a 40/20, five-eight Bee looks to have a rib injury and the outside defence still needs adjustment so this is a job in progress. Maybe not a win but a close encounter - wouldn’t Binalong relish a 12 all draw against Peak Hill?
In other results, Trundle def Burrangong 34-10, Grenfell 52 upset the undefeated Cargo 26, Condo won 40-34 over Eugowra and Manildra 38-10 over Peak Hill. A very tight competition at the top? More analysis next week as the Brahmans have all three grades away at Trundle.
Next home game is June 4 against Eugowra.
Binalong 22 (D.Arabin, L.Adams (2) tries T.Regan, T.Regan (2) L.Adams goals) def Canowindra 58; Referee: Luke Brown.
bos Indicus.
