FOR the first time this season the Nambucca Roosters ventured to the ‘Graveyard’ to take on the Bellingen Magpies in a ‘stop start’ clash that saw the Roosters taking home the points, defeating the Magpies 36-22.

The visitors came out of the box fast, momentarily putting the Magpies off balance and seeing Nambucca’s Dane Saunders score a try in the first five minutes, converted by Tyronne Roberts-Davis.

The home side struck back almost immediately and seven minutes into the first half we had a 6-6 score line.

The game settled into an even tussle and the penalty count tipped in Bellingen’s favour near their try line, however they gave the ball away cheaply to enable a try, scored and converted by Tyronne Roberts-Davis.

It was with thirteen minutes to run in the first half where the game’s fabric began to unravel.

A heated exchange saw a player from each side sent to the bin for ten minutes, followed soon after by a Bellingen player receiving a serious injury which required evacuation by ambulance.

A technical issue with the ambulance resulted in the injury break extending to nearly 30 minutes.

Once the clock started again both sides were able to cross the line in the last ten minutes of the half, heading to the sheds with a score line 24-12 in favour of the visitors.

As daylight started to fade it became evident that the lights at Park Street were not working however the game continued.

Bellingen picked up early points in the second half with a converted try that was answered quickly by a Michael Tyerman try for the Roosters.

Dane Saunders was to cross the line again before the final siren to see the Roosters convincing winners in an entertaining game of rugby league disrupted by lengthy delays, a number of injuries to both teams and lost daylight.

In the minor grades the only other Roosters team to take the paddock were the Ladies side in a game against Laurieton Stingrays at Coronation Park on Sunday, going down to the visitors 36-0

Laurieton took the Nambucca girls to task early, having most of the possession and generally being able to complete sets and score tries.

Although the Roosters completion rate improved as the game went on, they were unable to put points on the board.
A highlight of the game was seeing coach Caryl Jarrett dust off her boots and take to the field.

It was also good to see Rhonda Jarrett provide some impressive examples of try saving defence to the more junior members of the team and Kirri-lee Cutmore and Lacey Wilson were able to make impressive metres when they got in the open.

With that sort of potential it would seem that a Roosters win for the girls is just around the corner.

By Mick BIRTLES