Mick Stallard added the extras and the Goannas were on the scoreboard Canowindra 18 Grenfell 6. The Goannas put together a very good effort in the next 10 minutes and showed if they can get rid of all their sloppy play and mistakes they can put it to any side. Grenfell were next to score with strong defence and hard straight running from the forwards put the Goannas on the front foot and the try resulted. The kick was good and the Goannas trailed Canowindra by six.

The next ten minutes up to half time had both sides playing their best footy. Play went from end to end and great defence from both sides was on display for all to see. Canowindra    started the second half strongly and put together some excellent ball movement that caught Grenfell out and a good team try was the result and the Tigers went out to a good lead 24 points to 12.

The Goannas had to hit back quickly or they would be blown off the park. Josh Liebich and Brendan Hewen put in some big hitting that had a few Tigers wounded and sprawled out on the ground.

The backline finally got a bit more ball and put together some good plays and Steven Ingram got his chance to score his second try  - a great solo effort from 55 metres out  that lifted the Goannas once again and they trailed 24 points to 18.

Grenfell looked to have turned the corner and soon were deep in Canowindra’s area and had two chances to score tries but both players were held up over the line and had to go back to the ten metres line to start again. The Goannas tried hard in this period but just couldn’t come up with points.

Dylan Whiting and Cole Pedrick both had a big input into the Goannas fight back and both looked good. Steven Ingram made a break down the blind side and as he got to the defence he slipped a pass back on the inside to a flying Menna but he didn’t appear as a Canowindra player hit him high without the ball and a penalty should have been awarded but neither touch judge or Referee who were no further than 10 metres away saw it. The ball went loose and a Canowindra player swooped on it and raced away. The Grenfell defence turned and chased him down but a try came after Grenfell were penalised for offside. This was the turning point in the game as a try could have been scored down the other end off the field and the game would have been in the balance. Canowindra went back out to a good lead 30 points to 18. Canowindra got some very good rulings go their way in the next fifteen minutes.

The Goannas just couldn’t get a call go their way, no lucky bounces and about eight unanswered penalties go against them, some of which we still can’t work out. But to Canowindra’s credit they made us pay for our bad play and ran away to an unassailable lead that we weren’t going to be able to come back from. The final score was Canowindra 54 Grenfell 22. The Goannas never gave in and tried to the final whistle although well beaten we still can take some positives from the game.

The side went into the match with five regulars out for various reasons, so we still can hold our heads high and make up for it over the next few weeks. The side can still make the top five and a win and the bye should nearly see us be there in the finals.

Player’s player went to Cole Pedrick. Cole is over from Canada and has been playing Union and League most weekends and has turned out to be a good asset for both teams. 

This Sunday at Lawson Park the season goes on the line for the Goannas First Grade team when they take on the Peak Hill Roosters. Put simply if the home side loses this match they are out of the running for a Semi Final berth whereas a win would give them a good chance of playing Finals footy.

Grenfell have a woeful record against Peak only beating them twice (both in  2010) since the Roosters entered the competition in 2007.Peak have been in good form of late and they are the team that the Goannas are fighting it out with for the coveted fifth spot on the competition ladder. The Goannas are very capable of winning this match especially if they can repeat their first half performance of last Sunday against Eugowra. This is our last home game of the season and is crucial in the context of our season and so it is hoped that a good crowd can turn up and support the team.

Game Times at Lawson Park Sunday, July 27, 2014:

League Tag    -  Grenfell v Gooloogong    11.30am

Youth League –Grenfell v Peak Hill          12.40pm

First Grade    -   Grenfell v Peak Hill            2.00pm

Last Sunday at Eugowra both the Youth League and League Tag teams had good wins against the home side. The League Tag girls caused an upset by defeating the highly fancied Geagles 14-12 in an exciting game and this week should be too strong for the Gooloogong Cowgirls. Youth League won 34-12 but they had to work hard for their victory against the young Eugowra outfit. This Sunday the boys will meet Peak hill for the 4th time this season and will be hoping to break through for their first win against them in 2014.The League Tag and Youth League teams have consolidated their positions on the competition table and will both be playing finals footy this year.