The Bombala Showground was buzzing with excitement on Sunday, June 15, as the Bombala Blue Heelers Rugby League Football Club hosted the Batemans Bay Tigers. In a sparkling display of skill and attacking flare, the Blue Heelers emerged victorious across all three grades in Group 16 action, registering dominate wins in round 7, much to the joy of the home crowd.
PHOTO: Bombala’ Luke Ingram leads First Grade to a much needed home win.
Leading the charge were the High Heelers women’s league tag side, who showcased their formidable form by shutting out the Tigers with a 56-0 victory. Spearheading the attack, fullback Rachael Babidge crossed over for three tries, cementing her team’s place at the top of the ladder, two points clear of the Bega Chicks.
Not to be outdone, the Reserve Grade side put on a spectacular show, defeating the Tigers 66-6. In a match that saw the mercy rule invoked, the Bombala players thrilled with multiple players scoring two tries in the match, including Nicholas Ryan, Rylee Holland, Jone Waqaliva, and Jackson Tellis. This crucial win secures the Blue Heelers Reserve Grade a third-place standing on the ladder.
PHOTO: Bombala’s First Grade hooker Albert Kaloma was influential out of dummy-half putting the Tigers on the back foot with speed in the ruck.
The First Grade side rose to the challenge with their first win of the 2025 season, overpowering the Tigers with a decisive 60-0 scoreline. The match also ended with the mercy rule after only 60 minutes, marking a significant milestone for the team in their quest for a finals appearance.
Captain-coach Luke Ingram expressed his delight, saying, “The win feels incredible… We managed to achieve what we’ve wanted to for the last five weeks. The boys executed today, we like to get into the grind and earn the right to play footy. We let our big guys carry it up the middle and then we are able to play off the back of that, and it came together for us.”
PHOTO: Captain-coach of the Blue Heelers First Grade side Luke Ingram
Second rower Viliame Tundau added, “The feeling in the team is unreal, it’s a credit to the boys for all the great teamwork and on-field communication both in attack and defence.”
Echoing his sentiment, fullback Bailey Rogers remarked, “We’ve been scrapping for weeks and to get the win felt great, it will certainly lift the boys.” Rogers bagged a hat-trick of tries for his side and was electric, as he injected him self into the crisp sweeping backline moves and cutting up the Tigers outside defenders.
PHOTO: Blue Heelers First Grade fullback – Bailey Rogers.
With momentum on their side, the Blue Heelers now set their sights on keeping the dream alive. Fans can look forward to their next clash against the Moruya Sharks on Sunday, June 22, with the First Grade side taking to the field at 3pm. The High Heelers will be in action around midday, followed by the Reserve Grade side at 1:30 pm, promising another thrilling day of rugby league at the Bombala Showground.