After some co-operation from other teams, the Bears played Tumut and then their scheduled game against Young.

Both games were exciting affairs, with plenty of tries scored.

The teamwork from the Bears in both attack and defence is really improving.

Hunter Pearce, Kaiden Benson, Riley Bell, Lachlan Brown and newcomer Mackenzie Gale showed great pace to score many tries.

Alex Brown was a standout in defence for the Bears and Leila Ismay dazzled with some great sidestepping through the middle of the ruck.

Well done Bears.

Coota drew West Wyalong 5-5

THE Coota Bears Elders under 9s had a tough first up game against our old Coota Bears coach, Rob “Rocket” Ramsay’s team.

It was a torrid affair with the West Wyalong Pirates scoring the first three tries.

Coota came back scoring the next four and by the time the full-time whistle had blown the game ended in a well-played draw.

Hay d Coota 6-4

THE second game was played straight after the first game against the Junior Hay Cutters side, the Whipper Snippers.

Again the bears let in two early tries but fought their way back to be one try down at half-time.

But after four consecutive halves the legs started to get tired, and some late tries were let in.

The under 9 Bears put up a great showing and all parents should be proud of their efforts.

LAST week the Globe Hotel under 11 Bears dined on Yabbie tails; this week they snacked on fresh bacon as they took on the Temora Tuskers at Wagga on Sunday. 

The Temora side was coming off a big win against Wagga.

From the opening set piece, Coota’s front row of Sam Bragg, Rhyley Kennedy and Sam Churchill asserted their dominance over the Tuskers which allowed the halfback/five eight combination of Campbell Altenburg and Felix Leahy to run freely and to create acres of space for elusive outside backs Tom Tooth, Sam Sharman and Ethan Shepherd.  

The Tuskers had some very good attacking players in their ranks but whenever they threatened the Bears’ line their attacks were diffused.

Cooper Emonson stood up and regularly thwarted the Tuskers’ raid attempts. 

The Bears ran out winners 35-0.

The second game was a one-sided affair against the West Wyalong Pirates who were obviously suffering seasickness and couldn't get into the game. 

The second row pairing of Archie Adams and Jake Blackney was impressive every time they touched the ball. 

Jake ran low and straight while no one ever seems to be able to bring down Archie.

Jack Bass also showed penetration whenever given the opportunity to run. 

Notable individual performances included Ethan Shepherd’s show and go, pure speed up the blindside by Campbell to burn off his opposition, Lachie Sedgwick’s unstoppable straight running, and a Sam Bragg flick pass that almost came off. 

Bears won 70-5.

Thanks very much to the Bears who became Tuskers or Pirates for the day, and played their best for their teams.  

The coaches were very happy with the Bears’ performance around the whole paddock. 

Game 1: Wagga 17 d Coota 0

IT WAS always going to be a tough game for the Cootamundra Holden Under 13 side against Wagga however our lack of ability to “flick the switch on” had us behind 12-0 within 10 minutes.

The boys were still asleep and failed to work hard where it mattered.

Thankfully after some stern words we lifted and started to play as the team we can.

Wagga were extremely good at the breakdown and our forwards will need to address this area in future games so we can secure more ball for scoring opportunities.

Tom Baldy is trying hard at lock and is well supported by Will Crawford but we need to work as a pack.

Joe Ward tackled himself to a ‘standstill’ in the backs and was ably supported by Digby Leahy who worked hard around the ruck.

Michael Arragon played well in both attack and defence and is becoming a solid part of the backline.

Unfortunately a soft try to Wagga in the closing seconds of the game spoiled what was a much improved performance in the second half.

Many lessons learned.

Game 2: Coota 15 d Grenfell 7

THE Coota boys were up for this game following the disappointment of the first game.

Our enthusiasm was up and our contributions by all is commended.

Bentley Thorn, Tom Baldry and Andrew Simons worked hard for the forward pack which helped encourage others like Jaiden Duncan and Harry Watson to produce some better efforts that propelled us forward.

The Grenfell boys are a solid outfit and play a similar style of football to us, so the contest could have gone either way.

Our ball control however was superior and our commitment at the breakdown much improved allowing ball movement across the backline regularly.

Richie Tooth worked hard to secure his two tries as did Jack Ruskin with one.

The backs were supported with some good runs and defensive work by Ethan Blackney, Aaron Fuller and James Hicks.

A much improved effort in our second game, however, we still need to strive to better ourselves so we can take on the tougher sides with confidence.