Rugby League made a successful return to Gwydir Oval last Saturday week on the back of a vocal crowd and the performance of Bingara’s youth. Supporters turned up in great numbers, perhaps the biggest crowd for many years; with hopeful expectations of the new look Bullets outfit.They were not disappointed.
Warialda also did not disappoint as they scored a last minute try to snatch a 20-16 win in what was a high standard game.However the result seemed to be pushed into the background as Bullets’ supporters were all talk about the five teenagers who made their debut.
Jaydon Fields, Shane Fletcher, Daniel Rafter, Blair Reading and Alex Abra were terrific. They are quality players and when combined with the rest of Saturday’s squad (Paul Andrews, Ron Hammond, Brad Craddock, Matt O’Rourke, Terry Reading, Jay Fletcher, Jason Graham, Jacob Black, Justin Hellmuth, John Evans, Shane Hancock, Neil Galvin, Jerome Grey, Graham Rampling, Mick Wade, Joey Latham,Kyle Miller and Ben O’Brien) the Club is very confident for the future.
In his after game address, Coach Steve Rampling could not hide his enthusiasm for 2012 and his praise for all players.The game kept the crowding roaring from kickoff as Warialda won the first 20 minutes by 2 tries to 1, the Bullets took the second 20 by the same margin and the Wombats finely prevailing in the last minute of the third 20 for an overall five tries to four win.
Leading the statistics for Bingara were: Graham Rampling 10 hit ups, Jacob Black 12 tackles and 9 hit ups, John Evans 13 and 6, Matt O’Rourke 9 and 7. Another to impress was No. 17, Jerome Grey, with 11 tackles and his no prisoners approach to his work.
Tries were scored by Shane Fletcher, Hellmuth, Rampling and O’Rourke and for Warialda; Joss Cleal scored two in an impressive display and one each to Andrew Wynne, Shaun Turner and Labe Sutton.
The next official match for the Bullets is the Wests’ Knockout at the end of March, but the Club is trying to fit another trial into the next few weeks. The first competition match is away to Manilla April 14.
