Ladies league Tag

The Bears League Tag side started the day well with a great 16-14 victory over CYMS.

The lead changed a number of times through the match, but it was Blayney who were in front when it counted in a close finish.

Blayney were first to score when Gabby Calub broke away down the touchline from inside her own half with Olivia Birds conversion making the score 6-0. Blayney continued to have all the field position for the remainder of the half, but struggled to get over the line.

It proved costly with CYMS scoring on their first trip down Blayney's end to make the half time score 6-4 to Blayney.

CYMS opened their account with a runaway try early in the second half but Blayney hit back straight away when Laura Funnell was on the end of a nice backline movement to level the scores at 10 all.

CYMS grabbed the lead back 14-10 with 8 minutes remaining, but Gabby Calubs second try after a CYMS mistake from the kickoff got the Bears back level.

Olivia Birds conversion put their noses in front 16-14 with 5 mins remaining.

In a thrilling finish, Blayney defended their line for the last three sets of six with some desperate defence seeing them seal the win.

Best for Blayney was the elusive Gabby Calub in the centres who scored two tries, Laura Funnel and players player Natasha Hobby who were strong defenders out wide.

Under 18s

Blayneys Under 18 side's tough season continued against CYMS with a heavy defeat last Sunday.

The Bears managed three tries, two in the first half and one in the second but there werent many other highlights as they went down 52-14.

CYMS crossed early for a 6-0 lead but the Bears hit back when Ryan Oborn crossed to make the score 6-4.

CYMS made it 12-4 with another try shortly after.

Blayney stayed in it with a good try to centre Jacob Acton who won the race to a kick through into CYMS in goal area.

CYMS got on top leading into half time when they posted another try to take a 24-8 lead into the break.

The second half was followed a similar line to the first, with Blayneys try coming from Ryan Oborn who crossed for his second

However, CYMS got well on top and ran out winners 52-14.

Best for the Bears were Oborn with his two tries, 5/8 Ben Robinson, Hooker Mick Toohey, and front rower Simon Ewin.

Reserve Grade

After being level at the break, Blayney's reserve grade side fell away in the second half and eventally went down 36-12 to Orange CYMS.

The Bears struggled to get any possession in the second stanza and it told as CYMS dominated field position and the scoring.

CYMS took the lead after only 5 mins with a converted try, but the Bears hit back shortly after when winger Caleb Lewis crossed to make the score 6-4 in CYMS favour.

The Orange side went further ahead with a converted try midway through the first half, but the Bears were in again when five eighth Jake Crooks jinked his way over to make the score 12-8.

5 mins before the break a great kick from Crooks found winger Tim Smith flying through to out jump the defence and level the scores at 12-12

With the conversion againbeing wide, the sides went to the break level.

CYMS started the scoring in the second half with a converted try.

They crossed again midway through the half to take a handy 22-12 lead with 19 mins remaining.

The match was put out of the Bears reach with 15 mins remaining, when the Orange side crossed again and they eventaully ran out strong winners 36-12

Best players for Blayney were Centre Josh Farr who was very strong defensively again, Jake Crooks with a bright attacking display and winger TJ Smith who was good out wide all day.

Premier League

Orange CYMS handled the conditions better than the Bears in the main game at King George Oval last Sunday running out 26-10 winners in trying weather. It was a match that the Bears went into again somewhat understrength, however they certainly werent without their chances and in the end some basic errors in wet conditions cost them.

The score was just 12-10 to cyms 10 mins remaining.

Whilst coach Dane Howarth will be dissapointed there were positives for the Bears to take out of it, despite the loss.

Blayney withstood an early CYMS onslaught with some good defence, before posting the first try when winger Ryan Oborn scored on his first grade debut, beating a couple of defenders after Bubba Kennedy gave him some room to move out wide.

Cameron Dennis nailed the conversion from near the sideline to give the Bears a 6-0 lead after 15 mins of play.

10 mins before the break, CYMS took advantage of Blayney Coach Dane Howarth being injured, when they broke from a scrum inside their own half to score a runaway try and make the score 6-4.

CYMS then enjoyed a glut of posssion with a couple of fortunate restarts of the tackle count and were able to maintain the pressure on the Bears' defence, eventually crossing to take the lead 8-6.

CYMS again mounted some sustained attack but were unable to cross with the rain making ball handling an issue for both sides.

The Bears got a chance nearing halftime and they took full advantage when some good work by Terawhiti Cooper saw him brush off a couple of defenders and put a kick over for Casey Wallace to latch onto and cross right on halftime, giving the Bears the advantage 10-8 at the break.

CYMS regained the lead 5 mins into the second half.

Both sides were getting opportunities to put points on the board but not taking them as the wet conditions made ball handling difficult.

CYMS took full advantage of a Blayney mistake at the scrum base in their own quarter, to post a try and grab the lead 16-10 with 10 minutes remaining.

A further mistake not long after in the play the ball, gifted CYMS field position and eventually 4 more points for a 20-10 lead with 5 mins remaining.

They crossed again in the dying stages for a final try to bring up the 26-10 final scoreline.

Fullback Josh Rainbow was a standout for the Bears, with a great game at fullback fielding high kicks and returning the ball with purpose.

Captain-coach Dane Howarth was also in the thick of the action all game and is not far off his best after a season that has thus far been interrupted by injury. All things considered, it was probably the best the Bears have played as a team for a number of weeks and with plenty of juniors such as Ryan Oborn, and fringe first graders getting game time it can only help with the finals approaching.

Gala Day- Blayney Bears Gala Day, 1pm kick off Saturday August 1.

Great prizes, kicking games, pass the ball.

Bar and meat on the spit available.