The Central West Barbarians almost pulled off a dream start to the Geronimo Farms CWJRU under-15 competition last Saturday going down to Mudgee One in Mudgee by 19 points to 12 in a thrilling game of rugby.
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With the scores locked at 12-all with only minutes remaining the Barbarians were pressuring the Mudgee line when a loose ball fell Mudgee’s way and they raced 80 metres to score the winning try, which was converted as the referee signalled full-time.
In their first hit-out of the year Mudgee were the first to score when they swung the ball out wide and managed to score a converted try to lead 7-0 just before half-time, putting them in front at the break.
The second half started badly for the Barbarians when Mudgee managed to cross the line out wide giving themselves a comfortable 12-0 lead.
But the Barbarians did not give up and with some rousing runs from Dunn, Nelson, Wheatley and Joe Bennett the Barbarians hit back when Dunn crashed over, putting some much-needed points on the board. Jack Ogilvy just missed the conversion to trail 12 to 5.
The backs for the Barbarians started to lift in attack and defence and some strong runs from Connor Burke, Ogilvy and some smart stepping from James West saw the Barbarians in an attacking position.
Tom Kotzur snuck over from a ruck and with Ogilvy’s conversion the scores were locked at 12-all with 10 minutes remaining. Both sides tried desperately to break the deadlock but some smart defence from Jack Larkin at halfback, Matt Hampton-Lunn and West put a holt to any Mudgee attack.
The pressure was building on Mudgee, one of the competition favourites, as the Barbarian “new boys” continued to pound their defence. But Mudgee held firm and when the ball popped out on the Mudgee side they were able to streak away and score the winning try to take the game 19 points to 12.
The Barbarians were glorious in defeat with centre and captain Jack Ogilvy leading the boys magnificently supported by Dunn, Nelson, Wheatley, Ryan Shields and Kotzur in the forwards, and Larkin, West and Burke in the backs all having outstanding games.
Many thanks to the Dubbo Roos players of Sam Bell, Joe Bennett, Connor Burke, Tom Kotzur and Jack Larkin for taking their turn in playing for the Barbarians. All five players were terrific and played exceptionally well.
The Barbarians’ next game will be against Wellington in Wellington on May 8 as their match next weekend against Dubbo Red has been deferred until the July holidays.
