Junior rugby union players were on fire at Cootamundra's gala day with coaches praising their tackling and ball work.
The Young Services Junior Rugby Union Club had their first hit out of the season at the Cootamundra gala day on Sunday.
The U7s had a game against Wagga and Grenfell.
There was a lot of muddled communication, bad tactical decisions, backchat to the ref and all too much hype and energy.
That was the parents.
Luckily the kids just ran and passed, and had a great day.
Once again most of their energy was expended in the between match wrestling contests.
Notable newcomers was Max Coupland who has bridged the generational gap for the family with uncle Scott still playing in seniors rugby and now Max ensures the Yabbies have had a Coupland name in the team for nearly 25 years with more to come.
The U9s played Temora and were even in the first half but fell away in the second.
Coach Fin Martin said fitness is a factor. Campbell Duff ran strongly, Will Martin tackled like a legend and Ned Hufton showed good on the ball work.
In the second game they played a tough encounter with Tumut.
Will Martin again tackling all game, Max Kirkwood showed a great turn of pace with one length of the field try and plenty of other runs, Hannah Waters obviously listened well at training and played her position very well.
Harry Nuthall showed what great breakaway potential he is by giving away plenty of penalties at the breakdown, all good breakaways sail close to the wind.
The U11s lost to Temora/ Wyalong. Young again started well but fell away despite some strong runs by the flyer Charlie Crisp and the sledghammer Charlie Butt.
Dogged work at the breakdown by Oscar Nuthall was noted. Points went to Charlie Duff and Hamish Dowling as well as Charlie Crisp.
The second game had a fast Tumut outfit stretch the big Young side for pace. The forwards worked hard with Oscar Nuthall and Charlie Duff featuring in the points and Charlie Crisp who ran well all day.
Coach Butt will be drilling the boys and running laps with them to raise the fitness level.
U13’s met last year’s unbeaten premiers, Griffith, in what is usually a David and Goliath contest.
Griffith crossed twice early and it was looking like a long day at the office for the Yabbies. However, some barnstorming runs from the back of the ruck by Liam McGregor with some slick pace and sidestepping by five eight Henry Watson saw tries to both. Also Christian Brunton ran hard and found space.
The Griffith boys rallied to put on two tries with some brilliant play by their five eight.
Young finished the game strongly scoring again and threatening the line but Griffith held Young out to the final whistle.
The second game against a very strong combined Temora Wyalong Grenfell side showed some glaring holes in the backline defence, which an all rep backline carved up. Captain Darcy Page and Liam McGregor were valient in defence.
Louis Durham was good all day as well, but it was not enough to make up for the serious loss of shape in the backline. Back to the whiteboard for coach Page.
U15s opened against another premiership Griffith team and were quickly down by two tries.
However, strong running by Ross Everdell, with rock hard tackling by Ben Hegyi and persistant work at the ruck by Hugh Finlay, got the boys back by two tries.
Suddenly the all powerful Griffith team looked beatable and the Yabbies were all go. Unfort-unately the surge in mojo couldn’t get them over the line but it gave the boys the self belief that Griffth are well within their reach.
The second game against another strong MIA team, Leeton Phantoms had the boys start strongly and put on early points with Ross Everdell strong enough to break tackles and quick enough to finish off with a try.
Again Hugh Finlay was strong and relentless at the breakdown, and Ben Hegyi again intimidating in defence. Olly Fairfield-Smith played a very solid game, reading the game very well and supporting all day. Young ran out as solid winners.
Next week, 14 junior Yabbies head off the Canberra to play in the Southern Inland representative games against combined Canberra.
Some age groups will be vying for Brumbies selection.