A two-try effort from young 'veteran' Ben O'Leary was not enough for the Dubbo Rhinos Black to overcome a well drilled Wellington Redbacks side at Kennard Park last Sunday in the GrainCorp Cup elimination semi-final.
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Sitting in fourth position earlier in the season the Black were playing enterprising football and had their sights on a top-three finish. Injuries and promotions to the Gold saw the side struggle in the later stages yet still managed a very creditable fifth.
The 30-12 loss against the Redbacks was not a result the coach and staff were expecting but the team battled to the final whistle.
The game started at a furious pace and Black quickly established a definite superiority leading to O'Leary's first try from close to the line in the 20th minute. A missed conversion from an easy position was repeated a number of times throughout and, had they been successful may have had a positive influence on the outcome.
The Redbacks then switched on and their dangerous outside backs found the Dubbo boys wanting for pace and position.
This led to three tries, two converted, for a 19-5 lead at the half. The Black outside men were powerless to overcome their opponents' superiority out wide and the possession from scrums, lineouts and lack of ball security on our part.
Missing a number of first choice players, and having to use an inexperienced bench, coach Bruno Efoti was unable to plan against Wellington but, to their great credit the Rhinos lifted in the second half to drive O'Leary over for his second try.
This time it was converted and with half an hour left to play the lead was only seven. But that proved to be the last Rhino points for the season. A fourth try to Wellington on top of two penalty goals and they had booked a spot next Sunday at Coolah for the second elimination semi-final after Yeoval had touched up the local side 42-5.
Rhinos President, Ian Burns, who incidentally played all but a few minutes of the game, was justly proud of the team and coach Efoti.
"This team was put together simply to allow men to have a rugby opportunity," he said.
"It was never thought that they would become so competitive and actually reach the semi-finals. I hope our boys remember what they achieved and not dwell on the final result.
"They had some fine results during the season and but for lack of depth, and experience in key positions, would definitely have gone further. They are a credit to themselves and the club."
