It was clearly evident, winning this game was important to both teams, but it was the Rovers who snuck home 22-12 in front of a huge crowd in perfect autumn conditions. Both teams left nothing in the tank and will certainly need the full two weeks to recover before round one.
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The Rovers got off to a flyer on Saturday with Josh Burns providing a well weighted kick for Tamsett to swoop on and score for a 4-0 lead. After going on the attack again, Boorowa wasted a scoring opportunity giving a relieving penalty to the Grizzlies who were pinned in their own half. Not long after, the Grizzlies went ahead 6-4 in the thirteen minute. It was then a battle for field position between the two packs with both sides making some crucial errors and squandering attacking opportunities. Ten minutes from halftime, Boorowa speedster, Trent Crawford raced over wide out to put the home side in front 8-6 at the halftime break.
The first half wasn’t pretty from Boorowa and after some stern words from Coach Burns, the Rovers looked an improved unit in the second stanza. Both sides showed plenty of passion and aggression which eventually led to the Grizzlies losing their prop forward to the sin bin for ten minutes. The Rovers took full advantage and with sixteen minutes left, Trent Garrett scooted over for a converted try. The Rovers went further ahead by 18-6 when Ryan Foley crossed, but the Grizzlies weren’t about to hoist the white flag. Boorowa sealed the win when Crawford crossed for his second four pointer of the afternoon for a 22-6 lead. Time was against the Grizzlies but they posted a consolation try right on full time for a final score line of 22-12.
The second half saw Boorowa play with a much more structured game plan leading to them eventually taking control of the match in the second stanza. Coach Burns was impressed by the Rovers commitment in defence in allowing just the two tries but acknowledged that they will need to reduce their error rate. Trent Garrett, Michael McNamara and Matt Black all had very impressive games for the locals whilst Trent Crawford and Daniel Roberts also looked the goods in attack.
Straight after the game, the Chris Turner Shield was presented to the winning captain Josh Burns of the Boorowa Rovers. The previous two contests had been won by the UC Grizzlies so it was a special win for the local team. Both captains acknowledged the importance of the day and the tremendous work that Beyond Blue does within the community at large. This has become a significant event on the local league calendar and full praise must go to the huge crowd that appreciated two great games on the weekend and opened their wallets to such a worthwhile cause.
Later in the night, several activities took place with many items auctioned at the home of League, the Courthouse Hotel, as all four teams and supporters had an enjoyable evening. A final Tally is yet to be released but the amount raised was a very significant one.
With the pre-season just a memory now, both Boorowa teams will be fine tuning in the coming days in preparation for Round One against North Canberra on Saturday week in Canberra. Boorowa will not play their first home game until round four against old foes Binalong on May 13.
Stayed tuned for more of the 2017 league season.
