Brahmans miss Woodbridge Cup Tens win

RUGBY LEAGUE: The town of Grenfell hosted the 2016 Woodbridge Cup Tens tournament on Saturday.

A fine and warm day greeted the ten first grade teams and a well prepared playing surface made the day near perfect for rugby league.

The Binalong Brahmans competed, no doubt full of expectations but came away without a win.

The competition was structured so that each team would get at least two games. Defeated teams in the first round of matches would go on to play in the “Plate Series”.

Each match would be of 10 minutes each way, 10 players with unlimited interchange and featured 5-point tries where a try directly behind the posts would earn five points. All conversions were by drop-kick only.

Binalong’s first game was against the Grenfell Goannas.

The hosts opened the scoring after two minutes with an unconverted try to go 4-0 up. A strong surge by Brahmans halfback Hayden Bee drew the scores level at 4-all. Beau O’Mara put in some good metres and he defended well all day.

Drew Arabin and Bradley Banks also made some strong runs.

Binalong’s ball control was much improved on the trial match against Gunning a few weeks ago. But the Goannas started to assert their authority on the game and scored again twice to see the teams change ends at half time, Binalong were down 12-4.

In the second half, Dylan Arabin restored the Brahmans’ chances scoring a try in the opening minutes, the score now 12-8. Playing at prop, Danny Arabin provided some go-forward for Binalong but Grenfell scored again to go 16-8 up. Binalong’s defence improved too and an excellent five-pointer by Drew Arabin, which Bee converted found Binalong a point behind at 16-15.

Brahmans’ James Paton on the field on Saturday. PHOTO: WMG Media

Then with less than two minutes on the clock, the Brahmans gave away a penalty near their line and Grenfell scored again to run out winners 21-15.

Their second match was against the newly returned Manildra Rhinos, who turned out to be something of a surprise packet. Binalong was completely outclassed in this game and went down 27-4, a Tim Regan try was the only consolation for Binalong.

Will Manwaring was excellent all day; he took the ball up strongly and defended the same way. Dylan Arabin was also good and Tommy Johnson led the team round the park well.

Coach Ben Spencer took to the sidelines for both games to direct play, which was nice to see after such a terrible injury.

There was some spectacular football played as the day wore on, particularly the first-round match between Eugowra and Canowindra, which Eugowra went on to win 10-8.

The “Plate Final” was fought out in a tight 14-all draw between Manildra and Canowindra, as first try scorers the Rhinos won the game and took the winner’s cheque.

In the main final, Eugowra and Trundle went at each other with fury, the Boomers having disposed of Peak Hill 18-6 and Eugowra defeating Grenfell 26-20.

But the final was played with few mistakes and at high speed, the Golden Eagles scored first but Trundle struck back to lead 11-6 at half time.

In the end, Trundle won the game 15-10, but Eugowra must be strong contenders for a Woodbridge Cup Grand Final appearance in 2016. Grenfell will also feature strongly, as will Peak Hill.

Binalong’s first competition game will be against Cargo next Sunday at Binalong.

Because the Yass Show will draw a number of staff away for the Saturday, Cargo has agreed to play this game on Sunday.

The Jersey Girls will also play and hopefully our juniors as well.

– By Makayla Walker