The Tricolours have kept their unbeaten streak intact after posting a scrappy 36-21 win over West Wyalong on Saturday afternoon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Both teams scored three tries but it was the boot of Matt Berkery that proved the difference, slotting three conversions and five penalty goals for another 21-point contribution.
The Tricolours enjoyed an early lead after a Weevils ruck penalty saw Berkery step up and slot the three points with ease.
The hosts were quick to respond, forcing a penalty only minutes later however the shot at goal was off-target.
It would be the Tricolours to cross for the opening try after a pilfered ball found its way out to flyhalf Ash Hamilton, who scampered 50 metres down the right-hand touchline to score in the corner.
Berkery added the extras from out wide, handing the Colours a 10-0 lead.
However, poor discipline and unforced errors continued to plague the visitors, who found themselves reduced to 14 men after Sam Gemmell was shown yellow for repeated team infringements.
It was no different for the hosts, who saw a man in the bin for a dangerous tackle and an obliging Berkery nail the ensuing penalty goal for a 13-point buffer.
The margin was short lived, however, after lazy defence from the kickoff saw West Wyalong score under the posts for a converted try in the shadows of halftime.
A spray from captain-coach Josh Hudson seemed to snap the Colours out of their first half reverie and it was an entirely different team who opened the second stanza at Weevil Park.
Powerful carries from Hudson and Isaac Mitchell set the standard whilst a return to structure saw the Tricolours work their way upfield, forcing a penalty and three more points from the boot of Berkery.
Momentum was shifting Cootamundra’s way and a period of sustained pressure in attack saw Mitchell barge over for a well-worked try.
The Weevils were by no means finished and hit back almost immediately with a set piece try from a lineout on the far touchline.
The try seemed to stun the Tricolours, who reverted to one-out runners and a disjointed attacking structure that offered little scoring potential.
However, another Mitchell try and a further two Berkery penalties ensured the result was never in doubt, the Tricolours running out eventual 36-21 victors after the Weevils crossed for a consolation try on the buzzer.
Club spokesperson Jeff White said that whilst it was good to get the win away from home, improvements are in order ahead of their home-ground clash with the Tuskers.
Dual try-scorer Isaac Mitchell was a standout, playing his best game to date and duly taking home the Players Player, whilst Josh Hudson and Lachie Williams drew praise for their hard-nosed approach in a tough, physical encounter.