Extra time thriller sends Crookwell into GTS decider

By Jeff Hanson

After a sensational game in the Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield, the Crookwell Green Devils needed extra time to beat the Boorowa Rovers 31-30 in their major semi-final at Crookwell Memorial Oval on Saturday.

In a match dictated by ebbs and flows, the lead changed hands on multiple occasions, but the Rovers looked set for victory, leading 30-24 heading in the final minute of the match.

Still, the reigning premiers, inspired by playmaker Cameron Picker, demonstrated that never-say-die attitude that has defined their style of game in recent seasons, winning by one point as they now prepare for the 2023 GTS decider in Crookwell on September 9.

The opening stages of the contest were very disciplined as two big packs went through their motions and tested the waters in the middle third of the field.

Following an obstruction penalty against Boorowa, who was coming out of trouble, Crookwell took full advantage of the excellent field position.

Playing the long game, Dion Aramoana slotted the easy penalty conversion, and the Green Devils led 2-nil after six minutes.

Moments later, the Rovers were in attacking territory after making a break coming out of trouble.

The visitors made Crookwell pay, and following a few strong carries, Jayden Cutting shifted the ball right to Austin Power, who strolled over untouched on the right edge.

Cooper Cross' conversion attempt went across the face of the posts, and Boorowa led 4-2 after 12 minutes.

Following points, Boorowa looked to be on top in the midfield battle, with Cutting often getting to his kicks early to turn the Green Devils around.

Still, Crookwell got their chance, earning a penalty in Boorowa's half.

The reigning premiers showed some class, working the ball towards the sticks before shifting it left, and winger Josh Patterson had plenty of space in front of him as he scored just inside the left touchline.

Cameron Picker was tasked with the difficult conversion attempt, but he was off the mark, meaning the Green Devils were ahead 6-4 after 21 minutes.

Crookwell were on the attack after points, and they had their chance when Picker delivered a well-placed cross-field kick, but the Rovers quickly turned defence into attack, with some Zac Patterson magic leading to points.

After regathering the ball in his own in-goal, Patterson fended off three would-be defenders and sprinted the best part of 70 metres to get his side into attacking territory.

Two plays later, the ball was back on his edge, with Alex Stewart offloading to Power, who sliced through the line before passing to Patterson, who finished off the play that he commenced by scoring inside the left touchline.

Cross missed the difficult conversion attempt, but Boorowa regained the lead, going ahead 8-6 after 24 minutes.

The Rovers were on the front foot and worked the ball downfield efficiently, with the likes of Stewart, Murray Armour, and Brady Halls powering over the advantage line.

In good field position, Cutting continued his stellar form and grubbered in behind the line, and grounding the ball for a try to the left of the sticks was Matthew Canellis.

The conversion attempt was missed, but the Rovers crept further ahead to lead 12-6 after half an hour of play.

Just before the break, Crookwell was on the attack, with Josh Patterson sprinting into Boorowa's half, and it was Adam Hinds who saved a try with a textbook tackle from behind.

Still, the Green Devils couldn't be stopped from scoring, and it was the fiery redhead, Jayden Eddy, who regathered a wayward pass before beating four players to the line to score a good try next to the sticks.

With Aramoana back on the field, he slotted the easy conversion, levelling up the scores at 12-all as both sides trotted off to the sheds for the halftime break.

Boorowa was quick to strike in the second half, and following some good carries by Stewart and Cross, Cutting had plenty of room to move on the right edge.

The clever half shaped to kick but dummied and split the Crookwell line, but he stumbled and offloaded to Nicholas Stephens, who showed the Green Devils a clean set of heels as he went over untouched to the right of the sticks.

Cross finally got his radar right, slotting the conversion, and the Rovers led 18-12 after 37 minutes.

After points, Boorowa gave away a penalty, and Crookwell had their turn to attack.

The Green Devils engine room set up their next try, with Eddy, Aramoana, and Jamie Boothman all charging forward before Bailey Lanham finished it off, crashing over to the left of the posts from close range.

Aramoana had no issues with the conversion, and the scores were again level at 18-all after 42 minutes.

Crookwell powered downfield following points and again had no issues getting past the advantage line.

On the back of these strong carries, Picker took full advantage, nailing a very good 40/20, and the Green Devils were ready to strike again.

It didn't take long either, and a sweeping right-side play saw second-rower Josh Waters deliver Jack Dawson a terrific pass, and he was off to the races, scoring inside the right touchline.

Aramoana missed the difficult conversion attempt, but Crookwell led 22-18 after 46 minutes.

Minutes later, a Zac Patterson brain explosion left Boorowa one man short for ten minutes after he was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Daniel Selmes.

Crookwell was again on the attack, but a Power interception saved a certain try, and Boorowa's custodian stepped and weaved his way into Crookwell's half, which led to a penalty, and the Rovers had their tails up on the attack.

A few players later, it was that man again in Power, who stepped back in field and scored a terrific try.

Cross nailed the conversion attempt, and despite playing a man down, Boorowa was in front 24-22 after 53 minutes.

As the second half wore on, Boorowa's lack of discipline was beginning to cost them, as the visitors gave away four consecutive penalties.

The home side eventually capitalised, with Aramoana converting a penalty from close range to level the scores at 24-all after 57 minutes.

Patterson returned to the field, meaning it would be 13 on 13 for the final ten minutes.

Making something out of nothing, a dangerous Cutting again split the Crookwell defence, and he drew in the fullback before passing to Power, who made no mistake getting to the line and scoring his third try to the left of the posts.

Cross converted, and the Rovers led 30-24 after 63 minutes.

Some Picker magic helped Crookwell level the scores in the match's final minute.

The playmaker made a break from inside his own half, putting the Green Devils in good attacking territory.

Picker then kicked for Steve Cummins, who flew high and caught the ball before grounding it and scoring the game-levelling try to the left of the posts.

Aramoana made no mistake with the conversion, and it brought the score to 30-all at full-time, meaning extra time was needed.

Both teams had chances to score in the first five minutes of extra time.

The most telling opportunity was when Zac Patterson charged through the left side defence and looked for all money to have scored, only for the Boorowa centre to be stopped millimetres from the Crookwell line.

Following a penalty, Crookwell well camped in Boorowa's 20 metres, but the Green Devils couldn't find the game-winning try.

As a result, Picker decided to go for a field goal, and he slotted the kick, giving the home side the 31-30 lead heading into the second five minutes.

The second five minutes were as desperate as you would expect, and neither side could cross for a try, with the Green Devils securing a thrilling 31-30 victory.

While Crookwell is off to the GTS decider, Boorowa will live to fight another day when hosting the Bungendore Tigers in their preliminary final at Boorowa Showgrounds on Saturday.

The Tigers won their win into the match following an impressive 24-10 win over the Harden Hawks at Mick Sherd Oval.

Hawkettes fly high into decider

The Harden Hawkettes have proven they are the team to beat in the 2023 Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield League Tag competition following a comprehensive 36-nil win over the Cootamundra Bullettes at Crookwell Memorial Oval on Saturday.

With a place in the Grand Final up for grabs, the Bullettes were simply no match for the reigning premiers, who scored seven unanswered tries.

The Hawkettes progress to the Grand Final, which will be held in Crookwell on September 9, while the Bullettes will play for their season in Boorowa on Saturday when taking on the Crookwell She Devils in their preliminary final.

In a thrilling result, the She Devils scored a 10-4 win over the Bungendore Tigers to keep their season alive.

For all Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield draws and results, click here.

Image by JS Photography