BOGGABRI Kangaroos might have lost their first home game of the new Woodleys Isuzu Ute Group 4 first grade season but they will take plenty out of the 20 point loss to the Kootingal Roosters.
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Kootingal celebrated a good 40-20 win at Jubilee Oval, Boggabri to launch a season that ramps up immeasurably against reigning premiers North Tamworth at Kootingal Oval this Sunday.
“It was a tough win,” Roosters coach Geoff Sharpe said on Sunday.
“Boggabri kept coming back at us, they played really well but we were also our own worst enemy, gave away some silly penalties.”
Kooty also suffered a huge injury blow when Phil Beaton, who had been their best player in pre-season trials suffered a pectoral muscle tear in the first half.
Sharpe was “pretty happy” with his side’s performance out at Boggabri, especially the combination of his halves, Sam Taylor and Jordan Sharpe.
Kyle Cochrane and Jake McLoughlin were also standouts with some strong runs.
Boggabri coach Shane Rampling said the 20 point difference wasn’t a reflection of the closeness of the game.
“They scored two tries in the last 13 minutes,” Rampling said.
“We pushed them all the way after they led 16-nil early. we got back to 16-10 at half time and trailed 28-20 but then bombed a couple of tries.
“Kooty capitalised and took their chances and we didn’t but we can take a lot of confidence out of that. We just lacked a bit of experience to close out the game.”
Boggabri did suffer some bad injuries with young centre Brendan “Bear” Gillham suffering a bad injury which stopped the game for a long while.
Nathan Miller, a prop from the North Coast, was also having a strong game until he suffered a hamstring injury. Bailey Lennox, a talented junior coming off the bench, also suffered an injury.
While disappointed with those injuries Rampling said the side was missing another four or five players through work commitments.
“We can take a lot out of it,” he said.
“All in all we were competitive and we are looking forward to next week against Dungowan.”
In the other grades, Kootingal won the ladies league tag match 44-22 against Boggabri.
The under 18s clash went Boggabri’s way 40-10.
