CSU Mungoes were held to a 22-all draw against a determined Condobolin Rams side in the round-four Woodbridge Cup game at Bathurst.
Following their last-round loss to Oberon, the Rams showed improvement against CSU, who came from 22-8 to 22-20 after scoring twice and then presented with a penalty within kicking range in the 79th minute.
Five minutes into the game Lachlan Balcombe’s unconverted try shook early lethargy from Condobolin which forced them to tighten their defence and bottle up the Mungoes attack before scoring in the 20th minute via skipper Mitch Dinsey, converted for a 6-4 lead.
Dinsey was across for his second converted try to extend his side’s lead by eight points, before a third Rams try gave them the lead 16-4 going to the break.
CSU pulled back early in the second half with Balcombe’s second try for a 16-8 scoreline, but a converted try for Condobolin increased their lead by 14 points.
At 22-8, the front-running Rams then lost concentration to cede the Mungoes two tries in 10 minutes, to Balcombe and Cross, allowing the home side to reduce the Condobolin advantage to two points running down to the final minutes.
A penalty against the Rams 20 metres from their line into the 79th minute gave CSU the opportunity to pull up to 22-all, the siren sounding as Fin Grabham kicked the match equaliser.
The Mungoes attack was mediocre at times and not as sharp as expected, but Condobolin was tenacious to the end.
Oberon won their match against Molong Bulls 50-22, and at Wade Park Orange United’s 22-nil second-half lead was chased down by Manildra before the Rhinos took the game 24-22 after being behind for 78 minutes.
The CSU Mungals leaguetag side, holding a 20-6 lead at halftime, accepted a forfeit when Condobolin who, with low numbers and injuries, were unable to resume. Manildra were 28-0 winners over the Orange women’s side, and Oberon were beaten by Molong 18-4.
On Friday night CSU’s round-five game will be against Molong at the Molong Recreational Ground, Oberon travel to Canowindra on Saturday, and on Sunday the improving Condobolin are hosts to Orange United.
