Full of momentum and increasing confidence, the Bermagui-Cobargo Eels will make their way south this weekend to tackle Cooma.
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The Eels make up a reserve grade side to complement Eden’s senior grades under a portability agreement, which had all-round great success last week.
The combination’s road trip to Batemans Bay netted four wins from four games, including a 26-22 last-gasp victory to the Eels.
In a nail-biter, the Bay Tigers made a spirited comeback to square to the match at 22-all with two minutes remaining.
However, Eels centre Sean Lambert crossed in the corner to snatch the win shortly before full-time.
Club president Dave Allen said they now travel to George Brown Memorial Oval with growing momentum for a clash with the Cooma Stallions.
“We started with a tough week against Bega, but four wins against the Bay has given us a bit of confidence and momentum we’re running with,” Allen said.
“For the past two weeks we’ve had 20-plus guys at training, which is great to see.”
Key for the Eels will be repeat performances from Joel Anderson, fullback Nathan Monck and prop forward Tas Neil.
Allen said the return of Anderson – along with several others who haven’t played in some years – was a boon for the returning club.
He also had high hopes for the future with several Bermagui-Cobargo club members topping up Eden’s under 18s squad to great effect.
Allen also highlighted the benefits – to the team as well as the community – of several Indigenous youngsters getting involved with the club.
“Matthew Parsons is one who is really impressive,” Allen said.
“He played last Saturday against the Illawarra rep side in the CRL under 16 Country Championships and scored a try.
“Then he came and scored three tries for us in the under 18s on Sunday.”
Matthew will head to Canberra this Saturday for round two of the Country Rugby League tournament, then back up for the Eels/Tigers combination on Sunday in Eden.
In other Group 16 games this weekend, Merimbula-Pambula hosts Bombala and Moruya will play Narooma.
The U16 and U18s Country Championships grand finals will be played as curtain raisers to this year’s AAMI Country v City Origin clash at Tamworth on May 8.
CRL selectors will be present at each match with players to be selected for the Country U16/18 representative teams that will tour Perth (U18s) and Samoa (U16s) later in the year.