The Cootamundra Bulldogs faced a formidable challenge in Round 11 of the Group 9 Rugby League, travelling to Twickenham Oval to take on the high-flying Tumut Blues. Despite a 28-8 loss, the Bulldogs displayed immense spirit and determination, a testament to their resilience in a season marked by adversity.
From the outset, the Bulldogs knew they were in for a tough contest. “Tumut are a great team who’ve had a good season, so we knew going into it we had a challenge on our hands,” remarked Bulldogs coach David Buttriss after the game. The first half saw Cootamundra matching their opponents’ intensity, showing flashes of brilliance.
“The first half I thought we were pretty competitive,” Buttriss noted, acknowledging that “we just let ourselves down a bit with a couple of errors.”
Despite those minor setbacks, the Bulldogs managed to cross the line twice, with impressive tries from Josh Kostrubic and Ned Murray.
Unfortunately, goal-kicking proved difficult on the day, with Sam Gash unable to convert either attempt (0/2).
The Tumut Blues, living up to their strong form, capitalised on their opportunities. Their scoring spree was spearheaded by a sensational hat-trick from Bayley Maher, who proved elusive for the Bulldogs’ defence. Further tries came from Tom Jeffery, Zach Masters, and Malik Aitken, showcasing Tumut’s diverse attacking threats. Tumut’s kicker, Angus Williams, managed to convert two of their six tries (2/6).
While the scoreboard reflected a clear victory for the Blues, Coach Buttriss remained incredibly proud of his team’s unwavering effort. “One thing I’ve been able to say all season about the boys is that no matter the circumstances, they’ve given 110% week after week, they’ve been giving their all and with us being such a young side, that’s all you can ask,” he emphasised.
Indeed, the Bulldogs have battled significant challenges this season, particularly on the injury front. “We’ve had a terrible time with injuries, we’re missing five or six first graders and that’s meant having to go into our reserve grade side as well as our under 18s which isn’t ideal for anyone,” Buttriss explained. This constant shuffling of players has demanded adaptability and commitment from the entire squad.
Looking ahead, the Bulldogs will now benefit from a much-needed bye round. “Hopefully the bye gives us a chance to recharge and get some bodies back on the field in a couple weeks,” Buttriss concluded optimistically.
The break will be crucial for the young Cootamundra side to recover, regroup, and prepare for the remainder of the Group 9 season with renewed vigour. Their fighting spirit, even in defeat, bodes well for their prospects.
Tully Potts SWST Sports Editor
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