LOCAL police have walked away with third place at the cop’s annual Country Cup after a nail-biting finish saw the side go down by a coin toss.
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The Cods – made up of police from Tamworth, Manilla, Werris Creek, Quirindi – as well as former officers and family members trekked to Salamander Bay for the annual NSW Police Rugby Union Country Cup.
This year, in memory of fallen officer Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson, officers from across the state tackled one another in the round robin-style competition.
The Cods were hungry for points after missing last year’s competition in Wagga Wagga.
The side opened their cup quest with a strong seven-nil win over the Central Tablelands Trough Lollies.
In their second match against the Central Coast Cows, the Cods were down 10-0 in the first half.
But the boys managed to claw back the points and record a 10-all draw.
Undeterred, the side then took the field against the North Coast Marlins and crossed the line a handful of times to record a convincing 17-5 win.
Sergeant Josh McKenzie said the last pool game saw the Cods record a loss.
“Despite a 14-0 loss in the last pool game against the Lake Macquarie Bullsharks, the Cods finished second in Pool A,” Sergeant McKenzie said.
That placing saw the side tackle the Central Hunter/Port Stephens Hogs in the Plate final.
”In a tough and at times fiery match, the Cods showed some proper resolve to defend multiple phases deep in their back twenty in a game that ended nil-all,” Sergeant McKenzie said.
“A coin toss was held that saw the Hogs take the plate home for the year.”
Sergeant McKenzie said there was some outstanding plays across the field by the boys in blue but a few players were consistent throughout the day.
“Jacob Budd was strong throughout the day and very impressive in the final to secure the Cods’ Player’s Player ahead of the incumbent, Josh Dowse,” he said.
“It was very warm day down there and they were very competitive games.
“We actually had one of the best turnouts we’ve had for the Cods in recent years so that was good.
“We were a little bit unlucky to go down in the game we lost but we had a good strong cross-section of the command on the field.
Jacob Budd was strong through the day and very impressive in the final to secure the Cods’ Player’s Player ahead of the incumbent, Josh Dowse.
- Sergeant Josh McKenzie
“It was a good couple of days and proved to be a good morale-building exercise as well as representing the command.”