The Kempsey Cannonballs were clutching at straws to field a side on Saturday but they can hold their heads high after a spirited effort in their 34-17 loss against the Hastings Valley Vikings.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Cannonballs growing list of injuries continued in the lead up to the match with Sam Coles and Tyler Allan suffering season ending injuries in their Thursday night training run.
Coles dislocated his ankle while Allan tore his AC joint.
The two 17-year-olds had played great in their debut season in the top grade.
“Tyler and Sam had been playing really well and unfortunately injuries have hit most of our players and it has just been the story of our season so far,” Cannonballs first grade coach Jared Fuller said.
Allan had been controlling the side’s attack well at flyhalf and his injury forced Fuller to return to the field and play the role on Saturday.
Fortunately Braden Farrawell's suspension was overturned and he took the field for the depleted Cannonballs.
A slow start from the Cannonballs, which saw possession and territory dominated by the Vikings, led to them facing a 24-0 half-time deficit.
However, the Cannonballs have shown all season they aren’t going to lose without a fight and with the possession swinging their way they clawed their way back into the contest to trail 24-17.
Kini Dauvucu and Corey Gale were instrumental in the comeback as they wreaked havoc for the Vikings defence.
The game was on the line and the momentum building for the Cannonballs but the referee’s decisions went in favour of the Vikings and they were able to capitalise, scoring two tries to end the contest.
In another blow, Elliot Smith was courageous and played on with a fractured rib for 60-minutes but will likely miss the final two games of the regular season.
Kempsey can mathematically reach the knockout stages if they win their final two games against the SCU Marlins and the Port Macquarie Pirates but Fuller said the side has stopped worrying about the finals.
“We have stopped talking about the finals, we are going to enjoy our footy and see what happens,” Fuller said.