With this year’s finals matchups already predetermined heading into Saturday’s game, it was all about setting the tone for the Coonamble Rams.
And boy did they.
An absolute demolishing of the Warren Pumas on their home deck, walking away with a 47-14 win.
Apart from maybe their game against Nyngan a few weeks back, this was easily the most complete first half the Rams have put together all year.
Warren wasn’t given an inch and looked rattled from the start.
The ball rarely left Warrens end the entire first half, even their strong kicking game that served them so well the last time the two played, was pretty well negated.
Coonamble looked especially strong through the middle of the park, finding early success through Gery Lefebvre and Toby Stratton, with the two breakaways crashing over early to set the tone.
The one-way traffic continued, with Nick Jackson crashing over soon after out wide.
Three successful conversions for Matt Sheppard, and Coonamble held a strong 21-0 lead early.
And just before the half, the lead was extended once again.
A great team try from the three backrowers, with Alex Burnheim linking up with Gery Lefebvre before offloading to Toby Stratton who crossed over for his second of the day.
A dominant first half for the Rams who held a commanding lead.
The second half, while not as perfect as the first was equally as dominant.
Toby Landers found himself on the end of a long-range effort from the team to continue his good run of form.
And despite some fight back from the Pumas, managing two tries in the second half, they were never really allowed into the game.
One more for the captain Nick Jackson through the middle blew the score out further, before the game was finished off by scrum half Paddy Keady who intercepted the ball deep in Puma territory, laughing as he crossed over for Coonamble’s seventh try of the game.
A 47-14 demolition job, and a preview of next week’s finals matchup.
3 points went to Alex Burnheim, who honestly might have run for 300 metres on Saturday.
2 points to Charlie Altus, who’s carries out of the backline played a key part in negating the Warren kicking game.
A 1 point was shared between the red heads, Lawson Goldsmith and Gery Lefebvre.
Players player also went to Charlie Altus.
As mentioned, next week finals football returns to Coonamble, our first home final game in a long while.
Taking on Warren again after this week’s effort you’re bound to see a solid clash.
Go Rams!