SPORT
with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
sport@oclife.com.au
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL: SECOND-HALF ROUT AS BARNIES BEAT WARATAHS
A stellar second-half display saw Barnstoneworth United beat Waratah White 5-0 last Saturday in Round 11 of the Orange Open Women’s football competition. Second-placed Barnies came into this derby clash as firm favourites, while bottom-placed Waratah White was desperate for the win to jump Kinross into third spot. It was a tight tussle in the opening exchanges, giving the spectators end-to-end football action on a sunny afternoon at Jack Brabham Park. The Barnstoneworth Ladies had more shots on goal in the first 25 minutes regularly pushing Waratahs back into their defensive half. In the 30th minute, Barnies opened the scoring from a well-executed breakaway. Their playmaker lobbed a through ball to the striker, who broke the opposition defence and rifled a clean shot into the net. The red-andwhites almost doubled their lead seconds after the restart,
but some heroic defending by Waratahs, kept the visitors in the contest. Waratahs tested Barnstoneworth’s goal in the last 15 minutes of the first half, but the Tahs simply couldn’t apply the finishing touches in the final third. Barnies came agonisingly close to going 2-0 ahead before halftime, but the post denied them the crucial breathing space. After the interval, Waratah White dug deep and defended valiantly with the Waratahs’ defence holding firm against Barnies who continuously looked dangerous as they moved forward. This positive attitude caused the Tahs to attack with more freedom and creativity, which almost paid dividends when a Barnies defender cleared a Waratahs striker’s goal-bound shot off the line. After being on top for the first 10 minutes of the second half, Waratahs ultimately wilted against the threatening
ORANGE CITY LIFE | AUGUST 4—10,2022
and highly-experienced Barnstoneworth frontline. The hosts scored their second goal after a quick break led to their striker putting the ball right through the keeper’s legs into the net. Five minutes later, the Barnstoneworth Ladies made it 3-0 through another quick counter. In the 75th minute, Barnies scored their fourth goal through some crisp, attacking football with some intelligent passing around the 18-yard box finding a wide attacker who struck the ball low into the bottom-left corner. The home side put the icing on the cake when they scored their fifth goal from halfway with the ball gliding over the Tahs goalkeeper’s head. With the Championship finals approaching, Barnies are lifting their attacking intensity at the right end of the season. As for Waratah White, plenty of work remains in their defensive and attacking departments if they are to go on a deeper finals run.
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SPORTSCAM
with EDITHMAY GOWING
sport@oclife.com.au
Under 10s rugby local derby — Orange City Lions vs Emus
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ORANGE CITY LIFE | AUGUST 4—10, 2022
SPORT
with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
sport@oclife.com.au
BRAVE ORANGE CITY FALLS JUST SHORT AGAINST FORBES PLATYPI Orange City rugby club came tantalisingly close to claiming their first win of the season when they took on Forbes Platypi last Saturday in Round 13 of the Blowes Cup. But, once again, the Lions suffered late heartbreak when Forbes snatched a 19-12 victory at Pride Park. After a difficult season, Orange City came into this recent clash hoping to snap their 12-game losing streak against an inconsistent Platypi side. It was the best chance to grab their first victory in 2022 and give the orange-and-green supporters something to cheer about in what has been one of the most challenging seasons in the club’s history. As anticipated, both sides were very compact in the opening exchanges. The resolute Orange City defence held Forbes at bay despite constant pressure on the host’s goal-line. After 34 minutes of trying to crack through the opposition, the Platypi finally opened the scoring through Matthew Coles. The failed conversion, however, meant
that the hosts only trailed 5-0 at the break.
deadlocked at 12-all.
Orange City, however, fought back in the second half when Duncan Young wrestled his way past some opposition defenders and crossed the line in the 46th minute. Thomas West’s successful conversion gave Orange City a precious 7-5 lead.
With Forbes looking to spoil the party and Orange City chasing that elusive win, things couldn’t have been more critical for both teams in the game’s closing stages. While City dug deep and defended valiantly in the last five minutes of play, the Platypi still found a way to break through with their aggressive attack to snatch the win.
But City’s two-point lead only lasted for seven minutes, as Forbes responded with another try from Matthew Coles and a successful conversion to retake the lead. For the next 20 minutes, Orange City stepped up the intensity and continued to test the Platypi’s tight defensive unit. In the 72nd minute, the Lions scored their second try when Harry West remarkably dived in the corner to give his side a lifeline. The home crowd roared, thinking their side was finally on the way to grabbing victory, but, unfortunately, the failed conversion still kept the match
ORANGE CITY LIFE | AUGUST 4—10,2022
Matthew Coles barged over for his third try, which ultimately gifted his side a late 19-12 triumph and caused more heartbreak in the Orange City camp. Despite losing the battle, this was arguably one of Orange City’s best performances of the season. The young Lions played for pride and they definitely should be after that brave effort. City will hope they can use this positivity to pull off an upset in this weekend’s local derby with Emus.
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AROUNDTHEGROUNDS with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
BARRACKER THE
Western Premier League Action Waratahs topple Bathurst ‘75 to go top of the competition Waratahs cruised to a 3-0 victory against Bathurst ‘75 last Thursday evening in a Round 13 catch-up fixture. The dominant performance takes the Tahs to the summit of the Western Premier League, boasting a superior goal differential to second-placed Panorama FC.
Panorama FC halts Barnies’ momentum
SPORT ABOUT WILL TO WIN, NOT THE FEAR OF LOSING Watched some old cricket footage the other day of the most stylish batsman of the 1980s — even more so than Australia’s always elegant Greg Chappell — English lefthander, David Gower. The clip shows him at his nonchalant best, swatting Australia’s great bowler Crag McDermott three times to the leg-side boundary in an Ashes Test before, on the very last ball of the session, getting caught at square leg playing the exact same shot. His captain at the other end, Graham Gooch is absolutely livid, later accusing Gower later of having failed his side: “with a capital ‘F’!” This is the great rub of all team sports, how much do players risk for victory, and how much do they play it safe? Watching Queensland inevitably grind out another heroic State of Origin series win recently, it always seems that the “cane toads” have just that little bit more will to win and single-minded focus, than the star-studded “cockroaches”. In the end, it was Queensland’s substitute player, Ben Hunt who ventured all with a supremely tricky 40-20 kick that revived the home side’s chances in the second half. Meanwhile, NSW’s star half-back, Nathan Cleary just continued to use up their sets, putting-up safe bombs at the end of each, deep into Queensland territory, while the game ebbed away. Sometimes in sport, trying the trick play, the one-in-a-hundred chance that could see you blamed for the loss, is a far more selfless act, than playing it safe as far too many professional rugby league players are wont to do. Often with giant overlaps from wingers and full-backs dropping back, they still kick it deep to the corners, as the coach has told them, rather than risk running it and being liable if something goes wrong.
This is the result that has occurred in mercurial and irrepressible Hunt’s career on a number of occasions, but which won the northerners the series this year. “Have a go, mate!” used to be a common Australian plea at sports events to players who seem to be playing it too safe, as if afraid of making a mistake. I remember the day that I decided to give up club rugby in Sydney. Having dropped all the way down to fifth grade by this time, my captain insisted that, as fly-half (five-eighth in league), I continually kick the ball out for field position. “I’m not still playing at my age, standing out there freezing, watching line-outs all day, over a nothing game,” I told him at half-time, in what became my resignation speech from competitive football. This is the curse that afflicts rugby, and increasingly, rugby league, the higher one goes up the grades. “Keep your structure”, “follow the instructions”, “trust the process”, until all spontaneity and joy, seem squeezed out of the game. Sport is ultimately not about the result, but about character. That is why, even when only turning my arm over with a tennis ball in backyard cricket against the kids, I still try my best. But having a will to win, isn’t the same as being afraid of losing. Back to cricket, when the West Indies dominated Tests for 15 years during the 1980s and 1990s, teams used to experiment with top-order, technically-correct batsmen with few scoring shots, simply trying to wear down their bowlers. A perusal of the batting statistics at the time showed, however, that it was the stroke-players like Gower and Chappell, that had the best batting average against their feared bowling attack. Sometimes, at risk of losing, who dares, wins!
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Panorama FC beat an in-form Barnstoneworth United side 2-0 at Proctor Park last Saturday. This crucial victory snaps the Goats’ two-game losing streak, keeping them in second spot with 32 points. Despite the loss, Barnies still sit in third place with 29 points. The red-and-whites will need to dust themselves off before they take on a tricky CYMS outfit in the local derby this weekend.
Dubbo Bulls charge past Orange CYMS Dubbo Bulls took down Orange CYMS at Apex Oval, securing a 2-0 win to take them into the top four. CYMS were coming off a painful 6-1 loss to Waratahs, looking to put on an improved display against one of the competition’s most in-form sides. The Bulls are now undefeated in five consecutive games, creeping closer to the teams at the top of the standings.
Orange Football Action A-Grade: Barnies Beyond Blue snatch late winner in derby clash with Barnies United Barnies Beyond Blue clinched a late 3-2 win against their club rivals, Barnies United. In the first half, United missed from the spot to open the scoring. But, through some quick counter football, Beyond Blue pulled out to a 2-0 lead. Barnies United produced an emphatic comeback in the second period to bring the contest to 2-2. But, as United chased the winner, Beyond Blue stunned their opponents with a late goal off the last kick of the game.
C-Grade: Barnies YADS secure their first win of the season It’s been a rough and unfortunate ride for Barnstoneworth YADS this season. YADS initially played in the A-Grade competition for the first half of the Orange football season before moving down to the local third division. But last Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Waratah Athletic could now be a turning point for this Barnies side. Behind 1-0 at the break, YADS rallied from behind to complete an impressive comeback in the second half. Two goals in the last 20 minutes sealed their first win of the campaign.
Rugby Union: Blowes Cup first-grade action Emus blow away Dubbo Roos with freeflowing rugby Last Saturday, Emus recorded their seventh win of the season, thumping fourth-placed Dubbo Roos 41-15 at the Dubbo Rugby Club. Emus played some explosive rugby in this clash, creating numerous attacking threats when they charged forward. This dominant victory maintains their third-placed status, with a nine-point buffer over the Dubbo Roos.
ORANGE CITY LIFE | AUGUST 4—10, 2022
sport@oclife.com.au
Rugby League: Peter McDonald Premiership Round 15 action CYMS run riot against Bathurst Panthers Orange CYMS stormed to a 42-16 win over Bathurst Panthers at Carrington Park last Saturday in Round 15. This second consecutive victory will give them enormous confidence before heading into the finals in a couple of weeks. CYMS’ attack was lethal right from the beginning, making their opponents uncomfortable in the defence. Besides scoring seven tries, CYMS’ defence was tougher to break down than in the previous games against the Hawks and Parkes. After losing the derby to Orange Hawks in Round 13, Group 10’s most-decorated side is starting to pick up significant momentum before finals footy begins on August 13. This massive win against the Panthers, shows that Daniel Mortimer’s men are ready for their top-of-thetable clash with Mudgee Dragons in this weekend’s final regular round of the campaign.
Orange Hawks enjoy the Round 15 bye Orange Hawks rested with the bye last weekend, picking up two safe points to take them within one point of fourth-placed Panthers. The Two Blues are currently on 16 points, while the Panthers are sitting in the top four with 17 points. The Hawks travel to Cowra this Sunday to take on Group 10’s last-placed Cowra Magpies. They will need to win to give themselves a shot at snatching fourth spot from the Panthers if they are to play finals footy this year. But, it’s not in the Orange side’s hands, as they need the Bathurst Panthers to drop points in their game with Lithgow Workies.
Women’s Premier League Hockey: Round 12 Action Brave CYMS stun Parkes to make it two-straight wins Orange CYMS recorded a vital 2-1 victory against Parkes last Saturday at the Orange Hockey Complex. The green-and-golds were full of confidence heading into the clash after beating league leaders, Panthers, 4-2, in the previous round. With this recent win, CYMS jumps into fifth spot with 16 points. They will be facing Orange United this weekend in a Round 13 derby, with fourth place up for grabs.
Orange United upset competition leaders Orange United famously beat competition leaders Panthers 4-2 last Saturday, sending shockwaves throughout the rest of the league. It’s United’s second consecutive victory, keeping them in fourth spot with 16 points.
Do you have a sporting story you would like to share with the community, we’d love to hear from you.
contact Anthony at
sport@oclife.com.au
SPORTSCAM
with EDITHMAY GOWING
sport@oclife.com.au
Women’s soccer match-up
— Kinross vs Waratah Blue
ORANGE CITY LIFE | AUGUST 4—10,2022
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