IT was a case of déjà vu for Nelson Bay Rugby Club when they locked horns with Cooks Hill Brown Snakes in Hunter Suburban Men’s Rugby action at Empire Park at Bar Beach.
Lining up for their first match of the season following an opening round bye, the Gropers suffered a heart-breaking 18-15 loss to their rivals after a torrid tussle.
The Brown Snakes turned the clock back 12 months when they edged out the Gropers in the corresponding fixture last season – using a blueprint of spoiling defense to chalk up back-to-back wins in the men’s first grade competition.
First half tries by half back Kade Redmond and skillful utility back Brayden McMaster, plus a conversion and penalty goal by winger Ryan Marshall, gave Nelson Bay a handy 15-nil lead.
But in a turning point, stalwart hooker Ross Buchan was given his marching orders with a yellow card just before the half time break – leaving the Gropers a player down for the last five minutes of the opening stanza and first five of the second half.
Cooks Hill capitalised immediately with elusive winger Kurtley Golden crossing for a try double and fly half Jayden Kitchener-Waters booting a conversion as Nelson Bay led 15-12 at the half-time interval.
The second period developed into a gripping tussle with Kitchener-Waters scoring the only points with two penalty goals under extreme pressure to secure a hard fought win.
Nelson Bay were best served by powerhouse second rower Lewis Affleck, play maker Redmond and fullback Sam Mitchell.
Cooks Hill women’s rugby team posted a narrow 10-5 victory over Nelson Bay to remain undefeated after two rounds.
Talented fullback Hannah Bourne and centre Gab Cavalieri nabbed tries for the Brown Snakes with halfback Tash Harris grabbing the lone five pointer for the Gropers.
By Chris KARAS
