By BRYSON LUFF

The Cobar Roosters claimed the Christie and Hood Castlereagh League first grade premiership with a thrilling victory in the grand final played at Gilgandra on Saturday 17 September.

In what was a sensational finale to the 2022 season, with mere seconds remaining on the clock, the Roosters captain coach and lock, Loma Atuah, took the ball from the back of a scrum that was packed deep in Gilgandra territory and set himself on an arcing run down the blind side, just managing to force his way over in the corner to edge the Roosters ahead 28 to 26, sending the army of Rooster Boosters positioned in that area delirious!

This was a game to be savoured, with the lead changing several times and the scores being locked twice, including 12 all at half time, and whilst the Roosters got the silverware the Panthers lost no fans, as they gave it their all throughout the highly entertaining affair with both sides scoring five tries each in front of a large and vocal crowd.

With 13 minutes remaining in the match the Panthers were looking as if they might be able to go on with it after they had reeled in a six-point deficit, following a converted try to the Roosters five minutes after the break, and having run in three unanswered tries they held an all-important eight-point lead with the scoreboard reading 26 to 18 in their favour.

That eight-point lead was short-lived however, and the Roosters responded with a converted try with nine minutes remaining, and it was very much a case of game on with just two points separating the two teams.

Those final nine minutes were as intense and gripping as it gets, and it was not until Atuah’s last gasp effort that the premiership was decided!

Roosters captain coach and last-minute try-scorer Loma Atuah with the Castlereagh Cup. PHOTO: S Basham

In the earlier games the Narromine Jets reserve grade side secured their club’s first Castlereagh League premiership when they defeated the Binnaway Bombshells 28 to 16 whilst in league tag the Baradine Magpies continued their dominant run in that grade when they took out an engaging match against the Narromine Jets 28 to 20.

Victorious in reserve grade - the Narromine Jets. PHOTO: S Basham.

The day also saw Castlereagh League Life Memberships deservedly bestowed upon Wayne Burgess (Coolah) and Joe Bellgardt (Coonamble) for their invaluable contribution to Castlereagh Rugby League over a long period of time.

Tori Canham from Coonamble was named as the Castlereagh League Tag Player of the Year, this being the fifth time that she has been so recognised, and hard working Gilgandra front rower Anthony Harris’s consistent high quality performances throughout the season saw him receive the Castlereagh League Player of the Year Award

Leaguetag Player of the Year, Coonamble's Tori Canham with Bryson Luff. PHOTO: S Basham

Christie and Hood Castlereagh League 2022 Grand Final Scores

League Tag

Baradine Magpies 28 (Zali Hyde, Maria Nagy, Kira Gardiner, Anna Arndell, Holly Woodham tries, Nagy 4 goals) defeated Narromine Jets 20 (Emily Edwards, Abbie Mitchell, Jacana Powell, Bradey Leach tries, Lily Spackman 2 goals)

Player of the Grand Final: Madison Masman (Baradine)

Castlereagh League Tag Player of the Year: Tori Canham (Coonamble)

The Baradine Magpies relish their grand final win. PHOTO: S Basham

Rugby League

Reserve Grade

Narromine Jets 28 (Isaac Thompson 2, Luke Harding, Alex Gordon, Jack Powell tries, Powell 4 goals) defeated Binnaway Bombshells 16 (Connor Ticknell, Dane Anastasis, Harry May tries, Shawn Kidd 2 goals)

Half Time; Narromine 12, Binnaway 6

Player of the Grand Final: Ryan Richardson (Narromine)

First Grade

Cobar Roosters 28 (Loma Atuah 2, Tim Hillam, Gerald Mackay, Tom Plater tries, Plater 3, James Neyland goals) defeated Gilgandra Panthers 26 (David Smith 2, George Alchin, Anthony Harris, Cameron Bamblett tries, Smith 3 goals)

Half Time; 12 all

Player of the Grand Final: Ashley Hazelton (Gilgandra)

Castlereagh League Player of the Year: Anthony Harris (Gilgandra)