The Wellington Redbacks v Geurie Goats match was labelled as a "good, hard game of bush footy" and if Saturday's final score and injuries is anything to go by we can see why.
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Round nine's clash of the Oilplus Cup saw the final score 22-all.
Redbacks player Brad Mccarroll was the first to put points on the scoreboard after converting his own try, giving the side a much needed boost of confidence.
It was Wellington's only successful conversion in the game.
Despite Wellington's best efforts in maintaining the lead throughout the match, Geurie kicked a penalty goal to make it even in the dying minutes.
Wellington Redbacks coach Greg Brien described it as a "cracking game" of bush rugby.
"We missed a few conversions... and a penalty goal. We should have won the game, we just didn't have our kicking boot," he said.
Brien commended the Goats' efforts saying they are the strongest side in the competition but also praised his team.
"In the three or four games that I've been involved with the Redbacks (against Geurie) in the last 18 months we've always been beaten by them so it was good to get the draw and physiologically it was a win in our minds," he said.
Geurie player Kyle Forgione broke his ankle after trying to make a tackle against Wellington's prop Matty Watson.
"The tackled ended with him (Forgione) writhing on the ground in pain," Brien explained.
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The entire Wellington side shone for Brien, despite a few small mistakes like drop balls.
"We just sometimes lose our way, lose our focus a bit and get away from a bit of structure...," he said.
"But other than that I can't fault them, it was just a mammoth effort."
After the final whistle had blown Brien said Geurie Goats coach Paul Hausia came over to him and likened the match to a grand final.
"It was a pretty fitting end to a good-hard game of bush rugby," Brien said.
The Oilplus Cup ladder now has Wellington tied on 36 points just below the Molong Magpies, and above the Coolah Roos and Geurie.
Brien said ladder points would have been nice to officially come away with the win but they would take the draw.
The Redbacks will have two weeks of byes before taking on the Coonabrabran Kookas in an away game for in Round 11 on June 29.
That will be followed by a Round 12 home game against Canowindra on July 6.
The Redbacks will be looking to fine tune their game before moving into the semi-finals, Brien said.
Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
