Baldies win a thriller to keep finals hopes alive

Even the golden locks that Slim Shady was rocking couldn’t brighten up the weather, with cold and windy conditions at the Nest. In an important game for both sides, Boorowa started off strong in attack as the Baldies found their feet with a number of key absences from the field. However, the Baldies were up to the test, with desperate defence stopping a try and gaining the ball back to start off their attack.

A good kick for field position by Sam Richards saw the Baldies find themselves with a lineout on deep in Boorowa’s half. With the line out won, the boys packed into formation, leading to a rolling maul and a try to Ash Unicomb to kick off the scoring. In cyclonic conditions, the ball blew off the tee, resulting in a missed conversion.

Helping the Baldies out on the club’s charity day, the extra edition of Adam Gresham, saw some fancy footwork as he spun to score over the try line. A great conversion to Sam Richards despite the conditions saw the lead extend to 12-0.

With the scrum firing, the Baldies were dreading the moment Boorowa would decide to go uncontested as they have consistent form in doing so.  A great pick up on the bootlaces saw Craig Richards score race down the sideline and with an inside step to score the try.

With size over Boorowa, tough running from Mark Rowbotham saw him break through the Boorowa defence, gaining valuable metres for the Baldies. A fired-up Ben Stuart powered over the try line, and with the kick successful, extended a healthy lead 24-0. However, an unfortunate runaway try to Boorowa put them on the scoreboard.

With depleted numbers, a yellow card saw the Baldies down a player minutes before half time. Stepping up as a unit, strong try line defence by the Baldies forced the knock on by Boorowa, as the game went into the halftime break 24-7.

With an even playing field again after a Boorowa yellow card, Greg Newham looked destined to score despite old age catching up with him, however an unfortunate offload was pinched by Boorowa. With try line to try line rugby, strong defence forced another knock on when Boorowa were tantalising close to the try line. An unfortunate smother when Jay Bartholomew went to kick the ball out of the Baldies in goal, lead to a Boorowa try.

With things not going the way for the Baldies, an intercept pass saw Boorowa run away to score and the Baldies lead diminish, now holding a 24-21. With no reserves available, the boys needed to dig deep, led by Mark charging over the try line. With the kick converted by Sam Richards, the Baldies once again found themselves with some breathing space.

Another soft try to Boorowa, saw everyone hold their breath as the kick hit the cross bar, and unfortunately bounce over, seeing it back to a 3-point game. The valuable experience from Adam Gresham made the difference settling the boys down in an intense game. With Boorowa on the attack, a penalty to the Baldies saw the game end much to the annoyances of Boorowa, with the Baldies victorious, 31-28.

With the win keeping the Baldies in finals touch, next week they play host to the Mudchooks at the nest with the match set to be a fiery encounter as the boys have become accustomed to.