KOOTINGAL Roosters are still crowing about their comfortable 36-4 victory over Dungowan Cowboys at Kootingal Oval on Saturday – that win securing them an even stronger spot on top of the Group 4 Second Division ladder and an almost certain tilt at taking out the minor premiership.
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Roosters captain-coach Nathan Hamlin was full of praise for his outfit after the game, with particular emphasis placed on players like Tim Milson and Grayson Bradbery.
“The boys started well right from the kick off. Starting front rowers Tim and Grayson were the real benchmarks, and they all just followed on off that,” Hamlin said.
“The halves also contributed to the control of the game, Tom Michell getting the referee’s three points award. And Andrew Moodie filled in nicely as captain for the day. He led the boys well.”
A major highlight according to Hamlin was veteran winger Jeremy Moss running the length of the field to score a try. “He’s our oldest player – 50, and ran about 50m to score under the post after going through three or four players.”
The Cowboys though were a depleted side with at least six players unable to take the field, according to club president Bruce Henry.
“It was a hard game, and the boys did well to contain Kootingal to the final score,” he said.
Damien Pittman was the only Cowboy to make the scoresheet, after beating several players inside him to score in the corner late in the game.
“Along with Damien Pittman the team was spearheaded by the likes of lock Scott Henry and second rower Clint Ridley,” Henry said.
The Roosters (30) now surge to a four-point lead over Werris Creek, who blitzed an 11-man Manilla 82-6 at David Taylor Park with centre Nathaniel Slater pursing four tries and fullback Zac Darcy a double.
Dungowan and Boggabri are a further two points away (24) in equal third spot, Boggabri gaining their two points after their 32-16 victory over hometown hosts Walcha.
Uralla meanwhile were too good for Quirindi running out 64-16 victors at Woodville Oval while Barraba edged out Bendemeer 32-30 at Barraba.
Kicking was the difference in the end with both sides scoring six tries apiece.
Bruce Murray scored twice for the Mountain Men and Jock Mallise likewise for the home side, who led 16-14 at half-time.
“It was a close game. It could have gone either way in that last five (minutes),” Bulldogs secretary Jacob Hawley said.
“They had a few sets on our line at the end but we held them out.”
He said their young players again stood up.
Tye Fairweather was strong in defence in the centres while Kieran Darlington played well at lock.
He had been playing fullback until the last couple of games.
“He’s been really good in the middle,” Hawley said.