FINALLY the Snowy River Bears chalked up a 2021 victory for their first grade side, and the timing could not have been better as the club celebrated Heritage Round in grand style in Jindabyne last Saturday
In front of Bears old boys who represented the club in prior decades, plus celebration of the Bears 1996 first grade title, the 2021 team put on a strong showing to beat the Eden Tigers 32-20 at John Connor’s Oval in front of a good crowd.
In what was a tight came and often messy with plenty of high shots from both teams, the Bears showed grit to stamp their authority midway through the second half. That was not before the referee gave a few players a rest in the sin bin for infringements.
Both teams showed plenty of determination to stay in the contest, and the result could have gone either way. A crucial try to Matt Caldwell in the second half could have been the difference, where a timely kick through resulted in the most unexpected try of the game.
Late in the game Joel Patton crossed twice to secure the outcome, even though Eden fought on bravely crossing for a late try, but the victory by then was well and truly secured.
Never a team to let a celebration opportunity pass by, past players filed into the home dressing shed where the team belted out the Bears anthem with extra vigour.
“Champion effort from both sides but the bears really lifted. They played nice and hard, but you know, it was a good game overall. It was great to see all the blokes come back,” said former player Fred Freebody after the game.
PHOTOS: Steve Cuff
