On Saturday, May 31, the Cooma Rugby Union Football Club (CRUFC) embarked on a trip to Jindabyne’s JJ Connors Oval for an exciting day of rugby fixtures against their Snowy Mountains rivals the Jindabyne Rugby Union Club in round 7 of the ACT Women’s 10s and round 8 of the 2nd Division South Coast Monaro rugby competitions.
The Devils Angels came into the match in first place, facing the second placed Miss Piggies in what was a top-of-the-table Country 10s encounter. The match coincided with Ladies Day for the Jindabyne Rugby Union Club and provided plenty of entertainment for the fans.
PHOTO: Ladies enjoying the atmosphere and sunshine despite the result CREDIT: Montana Hawkins
Despite a valiant effort, the Devils Angels fell short, with the Miss Piggies taking the match 44-29. This result places both teams equal on points on the ladder, promising an exciting remainder of the season.
PHOTO: The Devils Angels were beaten but not outclassed by their rivals CREDIT: Lissy Giagios
For the men, the Cooma Red Devils faced the Jindabyne Bushpigs in a classic Snowy Mountains derby. The Red Devils showed great promise, leading 21-10 at halftime through some exceptional football. However, a strong second-half comeback from the Bushpigs, marked by solid defence and a strategic field-goal, saw the Bushpigs win the match 23-21.
CRUFC Red Devils Coach, James Quodling, praised his team’s tenacity, stating, “I’m really proud of the boys despite the loss. The second half, you could say we defended most of the half, starved of the ball. Our guys played hard, kept composed, and disciplined, despite the penalty count.”
The CRUFC Red Devils will have plenty of direction during their two week break before the next round according to Quodling, who said, “On top of our solid training sessions, we have a team building outing planned with the focus of getting back on track for the rest of the season.”
PHOTO: The Red Devils will look to re-group after a solid performance CREDIT: Lissy Giagios
Looking ahead, the CRUFC has a fortnight to regroup during the June long weekend. The women’s team will compete in Canberra at Griffith Oval on June 14, playing against Canberra Royals and Batemans Bay. Meanwhile, the men’s team will face off against the Bungendore Mudchooks, seeking to avenge their previous loss and build momentum for the rest of the season.