Cods net key win in clash with Bears
RUGBY UNION: Condamine grabbed some welcome competition breathing space after wrapping up a timely Wagners Risdon Cup win over Toowoomba Bears on Saturday.
The Cods took the round-14 Heritage Oval clash 33-0 against an under-manned Bears’ outfit.
Condamine posted three first-half tries through James Guest, Adam Murphy and Tom Sutton to lead by 19 points at the break.
Bears, with a dozen of their players backing up after playing in the earlier B-grade game, fought hard to stay in the match but couldn’t contain the Cods who toiled away for another two tries from Chris Gould and centre Kim McGregor.
The victory consolidates Condamine’s position in the top five while 2018 finals’ football now looks out of reach of the young Bears.
Cods’ coach Ben Taylor welcomed his team’s return to winning form after its previous week loss to Toowoomba Rangers.
“The boys did well while also keeping in mind many of the Bears played in two games today,” Taylor said.
“But I’m happy with the lads and pleased to take home the five points.
“I think keeping the Bears to zero was the most pleasing part of our win today.”
Coach Bryan Battersby said Bears’ shortage of playing numbers and youth was too much to overcome in their hunt for a do-or-die victory.
“The boys keep trying but at the end of the day they are too small and too inexperienced,” Battersby said.
In Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash at Riddles Oval, undefeated Goondiwindi all but sealed this season’s Risdon Cup minor premiership with a 39-19 victory over Dalby.