The sun, an unyielding presence, bore down on Geohex Stadium Saturday afternoon. The atmosphere was charged, yet for the travelling Cootamundra Bulldogs, it was a day of facing the Goliath of Group 9, the Wagga Kangaroos, who sat comfortably atop the ladder. Despite the daunting challenge, a quiet determination rippled through the Bulldogs’ ranks.
From the opening whistle, the Kangaroos, with their formidable lineup and home-ground advantage, immediately brought their signature intensity. Waves of green and white surged forward, testing the Bulldogs’ resolve with every possession. The Wagga forwards, renowned for their power, consistently made ground, forcing the Bulldogs’ defence to work tirelessly from the outset.
Yet, amidst the relentless pressure, the Cootamundra Bulldogs stood firm, refusing to yield. Their defence, often against overwhelming odds, was a testament to their grit and unity. Tackles were made with ferocious commitment, and every meter denied to the Kangaroos felt like a small victory. It was a battle of attrition, and the Bulldogs, though outmatched in size and resources, matched their opponents in sheer heart.
Then, a moment of brilliance ignited the Bulldogs’ faithful. Through sheer will and a display of their burgeoning attacking prowess, Cootamundra pierced the Kangaroos’ formidable defence. The collective cheer from the Bulldogs’ supporters, though fewer in number, was deafening as their team crossed the try line, a hard-earned six points on the board. It was a defiant statement, a beacon of what this young Bulldogs side is capable of, even against the league’s top contenders.
While the final score ultimately favoured the dominant Wagga Kangaroos (56-6), the Cootamundra Bulldogs left the field with their heads held high. They had faced the league leaders, put points on the board, and showcased moments of genuine courage and skill. This match, while a loss on paper, served as another valuable learning experience, forging resilience and unity that the Bulldogs will carry forward into the remainder of their challenging Group 9 season.
Wagga Kangaroos (56) tries, Chantz Carey, Zach Graham (2), John Downes, Dakota Ruta (2), Shane Hannam, Matt Murphy, Zeik Foster and Oliver Hoskins def Cootamundra Bulldogs (6) tries, Jacob Maher.
Conversions: Wagga Charles Barton 8/10, Cootamundra Sam Gash 1/1
Tully Potts SWST Sports Editor.
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.