The Gloucester Cockatoos secured a hard fought 17-14 win versus the Manning River Ratz at home on Saturday.
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The Cockies were determined to reverse their round one loss and this showed throughout the 80 minutes of a bruising encounter in an absorbing fixture between two evenly matched teams.
Each team launched attack after attack into opposition territory, only to be repelled by desperate defence at either end of the paddock. It took 25 minutes before the scorer was troubled, with a converted try to the Ratz.
To their credit, the Cockies struck back immediately and camped in the Ratz’ half until a well earned penalty resulted in three points from the boot of Mick Wooster.
After repelling another try line raid from the Ratz, the Cockies moved the ball quickly to the other end on the stroke of half time, forcing a mistake from the tired Ratz’ defence. From the ensuing scrum, the Cockies forwards drove ahead to the line, resulting in a converted try to Peter Lewis, with the Cockies going to oranges leading 10-7.
The second half was only four minutes old when the Ratz scored another converted try, taking them into the lead 14-10, which they held until the 36th minute when, after sustained Cockies’ attacking, inspirational 5/8 come number eight Chris Marchant barged over next to the posts, which Mick Wooster duly converted for a final 17-14 score line.
It was a thoroughly deserved win, built on rugged defence and a never say die attitude from both forwards and backs, which bodes well for the clash next Saturday versus the Premiers in Forster.
Best and fairest -: 3: C.Marchant; 2: R.Yates ; 1: A.Paynter.
Players’ player: C.Marchant.
Gloucester Cockies: 17 (Tries: C.Marchant, P.Lewis ; Conversions: 2 : M.Wooster; P/G: 1: M.Wooster)
Manning River Ratz 14 (2 tries; 2 conv)
Next home game versus Wallamba June 18, Sponsors’ day.