Nicholas Rupolo, Narrandera Argus
Barellan Two Blues are now in seventh place after a slim nine-point victory over Coleambally Blues in a drama-filled game during round eight of the Farrer League.
The Two Blues defeated Coleambally 32-23 away from home for just their second win of the season despite the game being called off in the third quarter. Barellan hit the front early, scoring three goals in the first quarter with Coleambally very wayward with their kicking, scoring only one goal and eight singles in the first half.
Coleambally progressed marginally in the third quarter but Barellan continued their better form. The third quarter remained scoreless from either side but the Two Blues had already finished the job before a sickening injury to a Coleambally player called the game off early.
Coleambally put the ball in between the posts almost double the amount Barellan did, but the Two Blues were much more clinical. That was despite the fact the Barellan team was depleted of its star power from the first bounce.
“One of our seniors got knocked out in reserves and things weren’t really going well at the start before the game. We knew we had our backs against the wall,” Barellan coach Alex Lawder said.
“We did have to fight. We were up against it from the start. A lot of our reserves pulled out late. Seven guys played reserves before playing seniors. The whole game was a real pressure game. A lot of big tackles and a very physical game. They kicked those single points from our pressure. At the time of being called off we kicked a couple.
“At the end of the day we have seen some gradual improvement. Since the rock game in round four we have been improving in our ball movement and everyone is starting to believe in our systems.”
The feeling of having to hang the boots up just before three-quarter time was something the player-coach Lawder isn’t used to.
“Unfortunately, their full-back broke his leg, it was a weird situation to be in,” he said. “To not play a whole quarter it was surreal.”
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 3 June 2021.
