By the Pink Parrot

The Gulargambone Galahs 1st XV have entered the winners circle after defeating rivals the Coonamble Rams in a Western Plains classic on Saturday at the Gulargambone Sports Ground.

Claiming the victory 24-19, the Tri-Colours held on by the skin of their beaks holding off a fast-finishing Ram’s outfit. While the Flamin’ Galahs had an emphatic 6-0 victory over the Coonamble Ewes, giving Gulargambone a double over the Coonamble Rugby Club.

The Flamin’ Galahs started off on fire, withholding Coonamble in their own territory which allowed them to capitalise through a quick try to Brooke Maslin with their first touch of the ball.

This would be a sign of things to come for the Flamin’ Galahs with another try to Tash Carlon to seal a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Coonamble’s defence improve and kept the girls out for most of the quarter, not to be outdone though Brooke Maslin as she went in again for her second try to put the girls up 3-0 at the break.

The third quarter saw more fast attack for Gular with Paige Wilson scoring from a wonderful chip through from Brooke Maslin. Ellie Peart also crashed over the line to go up 5-0 with a few minutes left in the quarter.

Not to be outdone and thanks to a few mistakes from Gular saw Coonamble presented with numerous opportunities to test Gulars defence right on their own line.

However the girls rallied and kept Coonamble out for multiple sets to leave the score 5-0 going into the fourth quarter. The last quarter saw more action with Alana Knox scoring to go up 6-0 which is where it stayed until full time.

ABOVE: A Flamin' Gulahs player changes tack when facing off against a couple of Coonamble girls. Photo: Kirsty Fisher.

Well done girls on such a great game. 3 points and players player went to Brooke Maslin who picked up two tries and a wonderful try assist, 2 points Katherine Owens, 1 point Tahnee Carr.

This result sees our Women's team anchor themselves in 4th position, with some big games coming up.

The 1st XV after two consecutive byes were eager to get back on the rugby pitch and the first half definitely showed this. Gular Rugby stalwart Will Bowman kicked off the scoring in the 14th minute with a solo effort from ruck putting the home team up 7-0.

The Galahs dominated in the scrum and lineouts, effectively robbing Coonamble of much needed field position. Curtis O’Connor was the best on the ground and dictated field position with his boot and leadership across the park.

The Galahs withheld the Coonamble attack in the first half, with James Kildey defending above and beyond keeping the bigger Coonamble forward pack at bay with some brilliant legs tackles.

Gulargambone were again on the scoreboard with rookie winger Tom Eason scoring a converted try in the 32nd minute. The galahs would hit the scoreboard again with O’Connor nailing a long-range penalty goal on the stroke of halftime to make it 17-0 to the home side.

The halftime break as it often does, swung the momentum in favour of the Rams and the two consecutive byes were showing as the legs of the Galahs were getting heavier by the minute.

ABOVE: Coonamble's Jacob Savage attempts to outrun a pursuing Gulargambone player. Image: Oliver Brown.

Coonamble dominated the early stages of the second half and were rewarded with an un converted try in the 49th minute. The momentum stuck the way of the away side but in the 52nd minute up stepped Curtis O’Connor with a brilliant read of play intercepting a pass off the Rams to run away for 40m try in the corner.

O’Connor iced the magic with a brilliant side line conversion putting the Gular team up 24-5, a play that would ultimately seal the victory for the Galah’s. Gular continued to defend their hearts out with centre Archie Haling pestering the Coonamble backline through sharp running and defending.

The Galahs started to run out of energy and Coonamble upped the ante scoring a converted try in the 68th minute to make it 24-12. With the momentum well and truly in Coonamble’s favour, the Galahs were just about out of steam as Coonamble scored another converted try in the 74th minute to have the home team supporters biting their finger nails for the remaining 6 minutes.

To Gulargambone’s credit they defended a number of Coonamble raids in the final minutes with Gular forcing a penalty in the last play to win the match. A brilliant and well deserved win by the young Galahs which will no doubt do wonders for the remainder of the season.

Points this weekend went the way of 3 to Curtis O’Connor, 2 to Tim Bowman, 1 to Archie Haling and players player was emphatically won by James Kildey.

While the players are always the ones to take the credit when victorious a special mention must go to coach Mark Colwell, a very deserving win for his outstanding efforts off the field.

The Men’s and Women’s team travel to Brewarrina for their next game to take on the Brewarrina/Bourke rugby teams.