Condobolin Rugby Union
MATCH REPORT- Semi Finals
Condobolin VS Cootamundra
Saturday  8th August saw the Rams and a very large convoy of supporters make the trip to Cootamundra for the first round of the finals. Cootamundra is a lovely little town…. Wouldn’t want to live there, but lovely for a day trip.
Before anyone starts worrying about the result, let’s take a step back and appreciate just how sensationally good this season has been.
We made the finals. Three years after the club was dormant, these boys have brought it back to life and put Condobolin rugby back on the map.
That’s something nobody should overlook.
In the first half Coota came out firing. They had a big, physical side and a strong bench, and they certainly weren’t shy about it. It was a brutal first half, and we struggled to match their intensity and physicality. Their defence was very good, shutting down a lot of what we’d been doing so well all season.
The tricolours managed to get two tries and a penalty kick in the first half. Heading into the second half at 13-0.
In the second half, our boys found another gear. The backs pulled out a few surprise plays, the forwards made big metres and nobody gave up. They kept having a crack right to the final whistle.
George Simiana crossed for our only try of the day, and our last try of the season. Safe to say he saved a cracker for the last. An absolute beauty. Well done Georgie boy.
My favourite part of the day was looking across field and seeing the Old Boys all gathered together on the hill beside the grandstand. They absolutely love a hill. Must be a ram thing.
Our forwards deserve a massive pat on the back. Our scrum was relentless all day, the lineouts were spot on and they certainly didn’t look out of place against a very experienced pack. Not bad for a
group of young fellas. Turns out you don’t need a mortgage, three kids and a bad back to push around a scrum of seasoned forwards.
Play of the day goes to the Coota player who sold the dummy so convincingly he forgot to keep hold of the ball. You can’t coach that sort of commitment. Love your work.
The score at the final whistle was 18-5. There aren’t enough words to properly explain how proud we are of this group.
You’ve taken this club from dormant to finals in just two short years.
You’ve travelled. You’ve trained. You’ve played for each other. You’ve brought people through the gates. You’ve made the Old Boys proud. You’ve given country rugby in this region a good kick up the bum, and you’ve built something that’s much bigger than the scoreboard. So don’t look at Saturday as the day we lost a final. Look at it as the day a bunch of young blokes proved that Condo rugby is back.
And judging by the celebrations after the final whistle, you’d have thought we’d won the grand final anyway. And that’s what this club is about. Good people, good footy and enough nonsense to
keep things interesting.
To Boorowa, Harden and Cootamundra, best of luck for the rest of the finals. You’ve all had great seasons and earned your spots.
If any of you need some pointers on boat racing, you know where to find us…460km north-west of Sydney. Bookings essential.
Until next time.
Deep Heat Diaries.
Source: Condobolin Rugby Union Facebook Page.

Image Credit: Clemosphotography.