RUGBY LEAGUE
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Nyngan supporters and fans lined the entrance to the players entry gates to show their support when the Tigers charged onto the field for their elimination semi-final against Wellington on Sunday.
The big crowd, boisterous in their home town support and the energy powered the Tigers to an early lead after just few minutes. Front-rower Todd Rope charged over after some strong lead-up play taking with him a stack of Wellington defenders.
Justin Cox piloted the conversion, then a few minutes later second-rower Semisi Tora bullocked his way through the Wellington pack sending the local crowd into a frenzy. Buoyed by some inspirational play Nyngan were ahead 10-0 after 20 minutes.
Wellington’s Mick Peachey, on the back of some good forwards’ lead-up, ran through the defenders and young Norm West, skittling players to score out wide. The Cowboys levelled at 10-all. This was a match of the highest quality and Nyngan centre Jone Yacadrau showed why he was one of the group’s most talented players scoring a sizzling try, stepping around the Wellington defence. In the second half he scored another spectacular try.
The score was 16-all at half time. Nyngan would have to come on hard in the second 40 and they did.
The Tigers opened the second 40 better with half-back Derek Knight going over and for a while momentum was with the Tigers. But just when the Cowboys needed Beale magic they got it as he stepped around to the right giving Wellington the impetus they needed to move the must-win final match up a gear. When Jason Harvey scored late and Ali Beale piloted a late field goal, Nyngan were three points short and unlucky not to go further in the final’s race. According to most experts Nyngan are the most improved side in the Group 11 and can 2013 be a banner year for them.
The pride of Nyngan inspired by big hearts and fans who were highly supportive and graceful in their narrow defeat.
Wellington 29 (Peachey, West, Black, Beale, Harvey tries. Beale 2, West 2, Ashby 1 goal, Beale 1 field goal) defeated Nyngan 26 (Yacadrau 2, Rope, Tora, Knight Tries, Cox 3 goals).