The Cougar girls took to the field ready for a hard game against a skilled Wolfpack.
Starting the first half off strong, the Cougars worked together as a team to get a couple of tries over the line.
The second half saw Wolfpack come out strong with an eagerness to win.
The Cougars began slowing down and Wolfpack used that to get a couple tries of their own.
The Cougars fought back, working on sliding and communication to hold strong in defence.
With a game plan in attack, the Cougars worked the ball well to get two more tries and come out with a win.
Awards: Players player- Tash Battye, Runners up- Cassandra Mason, Special mentions- Bridgette Lee, Old boys- Erin Mcgregor
Men
28 Wolfpack 24 Cougars
The boys went into the game knowing it was going to be a tough one.
The Cougars started off well but fell short with lack of communication, defence and poor structure. The boys took the foot of the pedal when they needed to accelerate, and it cost them the game losing by 4 points. Awards: Players player- Karl Morrison, Runners up- Caleb Kuschert, Special mentions- Christian Virgo, Special mentions- Eli Burge, Old boys- Campbell & Brenden
Rugby. An Umbrella Term.
-By Ella Webb, Year 11 student and passionate Cougars supporter
When I mention rugby, what do you all think about? A bunch of men running front on and tackling each other? A stupid way of passing the ball? In fact, does any thought about it even cross your mind when it's mentioned? Well, I mean the whole idea of the game and its intentions in the tackle comp being running front on to tackle the opposition is actually quite accurate.
Now. Something some of you may not know is as much as I talk about and follow rugby…I do not play. In fact, I never have. So, in my opinion it would be ridiculous to talk about the sport. However, it's lucky I prefer to talk about the club much more. The responsibilities, culture, and homeliness. Emphasis on homeliness!! I could mention hundreds of positives to the Corowa Cougars Rugby League Football Club but I will spare you your time and only mention however many I've written. I promise I will TRY not to ramble!
Let’s kick off with the availability of the club! Haha! Kick off! That's like football! Wait no, a football bounces…wait but then why would it be called FOOTball if it…well anyway let's turn back to availability! The rugby league sport has got to be one of the most accepting sports I know. Let me ask you. When you watch AFL…let's think…Christian Petracca, Nick Daicos, and Lachie Neale. They're fit, muscles all over their bodies…now think rugby. Any type of body could be the best in the team. Now I'm not saying this isn't the case for AFL, but the chances are far less likely. This goes for both the men’s and women’s teams. Plus, if you don't fit into a team yourself, you're guaranteed a spot in our Corowa Cougars family.
Mhelvin Garcia for instance. You may or may not know him. Is he good at AFL? Nope! Is he good at rugby? Better…but no! Is he one of the most adored people to have ever been a part of our local rugby club? Absolutely!! He was one of the many people to play a range of music as we all sat around the fire, throwing jokes at one another. A maccas dinner on one side and the best feeling in the world sitting on the other.
Now let's move to the kids' side of things. All welcome no matter the age. A cosy heated area for the children to make friends on the freezing cold nights. Tackle bags and bumper pads for the kids to play camping and dragons with their laughter being the biggest killer to them all. And the joy in watching them all join into the men’s and/or women’s training sessions as a fun muck around for everyone to enjoy. It's a blast to do or watch. In fact, many of you would know some of the youngsters that like to spend some of their time out there! If training isn't your gig, you're more than welcome to enjoy your time from the sideline, especially in front of the fire!
Next, we have game day!!! This has got to be one of the best of them all! Kids putting their hands up to be ball boy, 13-year-olds and up reffing, and spectators gathered all around the field. Not going to lie, as much as I dislike wearing a t-shirt and shorts to referee…I really do appreciate the opportunity, to learn the rules better, to grow my mind, and to meet new people who I relate to.
Who can name an occasion coming Wednesday? Did I hear the State of Origin somewhere then? Definitely not but just go along with it. I do not think I could count the number of times people have told me it was a great night. A group of supporters from both teams in one room trying not to yell at the screen without actually trying not to yell at the screen? What more could you want?! Throw a couple games in the mix and you've got a room of happiness and laughter that's for sure. The music dies down at the end to set a mood where you're around your favourite people, almost no one is talking and you're just enjoying everyone's company.
But rugby isn't always perfect!! It CAN be stressful. It can boil your water. Push your buttons. But would I ever leave? No way! But how can this be?
Well on top of all the wonderful things I mentioned previously…the feeling of happiness isn't all that's granted. There is a much bigger feeling, gifted to you as your heart grows to the club and its community. I guess the only real way to explain it would be an escape. Where nothing else in the world matters. The most in the present you will ever be, with people who listen. Who care. Who are trusted, and trustworthy at that. A place of comfort and safety. And of security. A place of laughter and fun but also relaxation and calm. A place to catch up. A place of no judgement. A place of age. 36 years actually. A place of memories. The best place ever.
I'm not saying rugby is for everyone, in fact I'm sure for you AFL, soccer, cricket, basketball, or other supporters, you would have zero interest in the sport. And that's totally fine! But the Corowa Cougars aren't all about the sport side of rugby.
Ok. Now I'll go back to my original question. When I mentioned rugby, what did you all think about? I’m sure some of you still think the same, but me? Well I think of the word home.
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