The Gorillas have put an exclamation mark on their New Holland Cup minor premiership with a 45-26 victory over the in-form CSU Bathurst. The students were coming in full of confidence but were never really in the game after the home side raced to a 28-0 lead inside the first quarter of the match. The win means the Gorillas now head into finals with their undefeated record intact and a swag of self-belief.
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Coach Craig Campbell was happy with the win, particularly the way his team started. Campbell went on to suggest the students could go deep into the finals series.
Mick Harris opened the scoring, breaking through off a clever short pass from Campbell, before a penalty try was awarded to the Gorillas after a rolling maul was brought down illegally. The offending player was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes which would prove costly, as the Gorillas crossed twice in that period.
Billy “Slater” Browning then scored the try of the match. CSU were able to hit back late in the half when fullback Lochie Robinson crossed and the halftime score read 28-7. The students picked up where they left off in the second half, opening the scoring with a try to scrumhalf Charles Mansfield, narrowing the margin to 28-12. Hopes of a comeback were dashed with Gorillas scored three of the next four tries.
CSU were playing an expansive, catch-up style of rugby and were rewarded with a consolation try on fulltime through winger Nick Greenberg. Mitch Rixon was voted best on ground by his peers after a typically physical display from the big man, who caused absolute carnage with his strong carries in the midfield. CSU coach Luke Kelly was upbeat despite the convincing loss.
The Gorillas will now meet the Parkes Boars in the major semi-final at Cale Oval this Saturday, with the winner earning hosting rights for the grand final. Narromine Gorillas 45 (Mick Harris, Luke Brown (penalty try), George Hancock, Billy Browning, Tim Allworth, Dan Treseder, Doug Potter Tries; Dylan Ryan 3, Potter) defeated Bathurst CSU 26 (Lochie Robinson, Charles Mansfield, Nick Greenberg, Harry Hunt Tries; Jack Keppel 3 conv).
Second grade scored an emphatic victory to end the regular season, clocking up 50 unanswered points. The old firm of Craig Duff and Ryan Pratten were classy as usual, and there were other strong performances from Jack Madgwick, Jai Delboux and Matt Bullock.
Narromine Gorillas 50 (Matt Bullock 2, Ryan Wheeler 2, Dan Barry, Bill Rybak, Craig Duff, Strath Munro Tries; Munro 4, Bullock Conv) defeated Bathurst CSU 0.
