Roosters start in fine form
The Woy Woy Roosters have started the 2001 season in fine form, recently winning the final of the inaugural NSW Country Rugby League Challenge Cup.
The Challenge Cup was open to all First Grade Rugby League teams affiliated with NSW Country Rugby League.
Teams as far afield such as Gungahlin in the South to Runaway Bay and Burleigh Heads in the North played, along with two strong clubs who compete in the Gold Coast Group 18 Competition.
The first round of competition was played on February 26 with the Roosters drawn to play Western Suburbs Wollongong in a double header at Woy Woy Oval.
This game was the first for new coach Tony Clarke, who guided the Roosters to two successive Reserve Grade Premierships in 1999 and 2000.
The Roosters unveiled some impressive new signings including centre Shannon Keats from Scone, five-eighth Craig Halden from Manly, hooker Mick Jenkins from Hull, prop Jon Vatuabua from Guilford, exciting utility back Elton Connors from Tingha and prop Andrew Jackson from Berry.
In an impressive adjustment to four quarter football, the Roosters defeated Wests Wollongong by 40 points to six.
In an attacking display, the Roosters freely scored points in the second two periods with Shannon Keats, Elton Connors and Brent Byrne getting on the scoreboard.
Forwards Jackson, Duncan Smith and Grant Stuart did well in controlling Wests' large pack.
The downside for the club on the night were injuries suffered by point scoring machine David Maryska, Craig Halden and prop Jon Vatuabua which resulted in all three missing the entire competition.
In round two, the Roosters travelled to Moree to face the Moree Boars.
The Roosters arrived in Moree after a long road trip to be faced with wet and windy conditions, which the suited home sides plan of nullifying our attack.
On the back of a strong defensive effort, the Roosters prevailed by 48 points to nil, with Andrew Jackson once again leading the way and gaining great support from second rower Jade Mason and prop Duncan Smith.
Evan Cochrance made his debut as full back and showed plenty of skill in a polished display.
It was back to Woy Woy Oval and another double header in round three.
The Roosters drew Group 18 Premiers Runaway Bay in what proved to be certainly the most physical game of the series and possibly one of the most physical seen on the Coast for many years.
Two tries in the final quarter and Woy Woys superb fitness paved the way for a great victory by 28 points to 24.
On the same evening, Western Suburbs Newcastle defeated Burleigh Heads, and therefore became Woy Woys next opponent with the winner advancing through to the Semi Finals.
The match was played on a warm Sunday afternoon at Wyongs Morrie Breen Oval with Wests Newcastle being one of the Newcastle Premierships glamour sides.
The Roosters got out to a 14-point lead early and despite Wests making something of a comeback, the final scoreline of 31 points to 14 illustrated Woy Woys superiority, and moved them through to the semi final against Port Macquarie.
Due to the unavailabilty of Woy Woy Oval, the match was played at Erina Oval in front of a good crowd who gathered to support the Roosters.
Port Macquarie certainly displayed the form which carried them to the semi finals in a game which again was played with grand final intensity right throughout.
In the end, some skilfull play from winger Brent Byrne and skipper Jason Carpenter sealed the 20 points to 12 victory and a place in the Challenge Cup Final.
The Roosters' opponents for the final were their "great rivals" the Wyong Kangaroos.
In a controversial decision, the Country Rugby League decided to pass up the opportunity to play the game at North Power Stadium, instead allocating the game to Wyongs home ground, Morrie Breen Oval.
A large crowd witnessed another chapter in the history between these two clubs, and a game which was played in two halves with the winner not known literally until the final siren.
Despite a great start by both sides, Wyong had worked up a 14 points to nil lead by the half way mark, with the Roosters facing a big job in working their way back into the game.
Tries to Evan Cochrane and Jade Mason put the match back in the balance, and a penalty goal to Elton Connors drew the scores level with only minutes remaining.
In their last throw of the dice, Woy Woy worked the ball upfield.
With only a minute remaining, five-eighth Shane Ward made a split second decision to kick a wobbly field goal, which gave Woy Woy the Challenge Cup via a 15 points to 14 victory.
Another marvellous team victory with every player making a contribution. However, for his great game, Andrew Jackson was named Country Rugby League Man of the Match.
The game did have a sad note with hooker Mick Jenkins injuring his neck and spending some time in Newcastle John Hunter Hospital.
Mick has received specialists reports which indicate that he could possibly return to the game in due course if he wished to.
Woy Woy Leagues Club, May 3