The Snowy River Bears played their first home games of the 2025 competition, with the ladies’ league tag notching up a tight victory on Mother's Day, and the men scoring a nine-try runaway victory.
THE Snowy River Bears have continued their solid start to the rugby league season, piling on the tries in a one-sided affair against the UC Stars 46-4.
The visiting team arrived with only 11 players, which the Bears matched, and though both teams were not at their full player capacity, there was a chasm between the sides as the Bears ran roughshod over the opposition.
Within 20 minutes, the Bears scored three tries courtesy of centre Max Naisby in the 11th minute, fullback Kohen Pearce in the 17th minute, and centre Keelan Johnson in the 20th minute.
The second try Kohen (pictured below) scored after finishing an attacking move through the middle.
Since their premiership win in 2024, the Bears have lost many players from that winning team, plus changed competitions to the George Tooke Shield, which is predominantly filled with Canberra and surrounding teams.
In their first home competition game of the season, the faithful Snowy River Bears supporters were shown that this side is competitive. Sporting a new white jumper, an alternative strip to their usual red and black, the Bears will wear traditional colours next round.
Although playing against weaker opposition, the skill level and cohesiveness of the new 2025 team look promising.
Halfback Wayne Crisp and five-eighth Matty Kilgannon directed the team around the park and made handy metres. Their running games proved a big handful for the opposing team.
The forwards, particularly speedy back rowers Blake Codey and Clayton Thompson, showed they can be a real threat, especially when hitting the ball at speed.
Jayden Carberry and Liam Pepper, playing from the bench, had strong games. Carberry was enjoying the occasion as he bounced a few opponents out of the way with several charging runs through the ruck, and some handy offloads in traffic, much to the crowd’s delight.
When Rhys Hemsley-Hales crossed over the line for a 23rd minute, the flood gates were starting to open as a wall of attack was now threatening the visitors on every set of tackles.
Not long after, fullback Pearce crossed for his second as he streaked away down the left side, fending off the opposition to run away to the try line.
The Bears were now rotating goal kickers, and it seemed every player was having a turn. Captain Tui may be benched from kicking duties after his first attempt, but there were a few handy conversions from different players during the game.
With seven minutes left in the first half, the game was done at 24-0. As if to rub salt into the wound, a minute later, halfback Crisp beat several defenders before passing to Blake Codey, who sprinted to the line from halfway for the Bears to convert and lead 30-0 going into the break.,
After half time, the Bears kept their foot on the throttle, and again Blake Codey broke through from the Bears' half to start the attack. From the ensuing passage of play, centre Max Naisby would cross for his second try, diving through the defence to score.
Naisby would cross again in the 44th minute, followed by Michael Barber in the 50th minute.
Coach Jake Hedger, watching from the sideline, even raised a smile. Hedger will be a familiar face from the bench area, having ripped his bicep last week and now sits out at least 10 weeks. He seemed resigned that his season may be over, but he will play an important part in keeping his troops focused each game.
When you hear the call wombat, you know it's only one person as Riley Minogue takes the hit up. The big forward with an indifferent haircut knows only one mode, hard and straight. The theory pays off as he managed to clock up his fair share of meterage as he charged through the middle.
With support from Harrison Denford, and the rampaging pack, their go-forward impact allowed room for the swift backline to show some moves.
The UC Stars finally crossed for a try in the 46th minute, but when an injury forced one of their players from the field, the game ended early as there were insufficient numbers to proceed.
Captain Tui Samoa said his team was in a good place after the first two games, winning two from two.
“In our group, I reckon I would be the oldest bloke on the paddock, so my job is to try and synch those big boys in the middle and let our young boys finish it off with the speed out wide,” said Tui.
“It's awesome to see these young guys, and local boys have a run around.”
“I just want to thank all the supporters who turn up and support all those local kids that we’ve got in the group at the moment, and hopefully we can keep pushing forward.”
The Bears have a bye this coming week, but when the side returns home on Saturday, 24 May against the Bungendore Tigers, a bigger home crowd would encourage the side further.
Go The Bears
Ladies League Tag
Bears win 16 - UC Stars 14
The Snowy River Bears ladies league tag celebrated Mother’s Day in style. Besides a group of playing mothers and club helpers receiving flowers, the win was far more rewarding.
In a topsy-turvy game with a fluctuating scoreboard, the Bears would sneak away with a close-fought 16-14 victory over the UC Stars.
Both sides showed great skill in a highly entertaining game, the result coming down to the wire.
Bears halfback Sheryn Baird crossed for the first try inside of five minutes, much to the team’s delight, who rallied for congratulations.
Captain Alyssa Zusak crossed the line in the 17th minute to set up an eight-point lead, but neither the first two nor any of the kicks converted, robbing them of valuable points.
The UC Stars hit straight back with a converted try to trail 8-6. In the 24th minute, UC Stars took the lead 8-10 after scoring again, this time the try not converted.
The Bears' defence in the second half was a key factor in the result.
Strong performances from the halves, Leonie Burns and Sheryn Baird, who both led by example with strong runs and decisive line breaks, kept the Bears threatening to score.
When Burns dived over from close range for a 37th-minute try, the Bears had regained the lead 12-10. But again, no conversion.
The home team appeared to be gaining momentum, but the yo-yo game was not done yet. The UC Stars scored again in the 42nd minute to regain the lead 12-14.
With under five minutes on the clock and still trailing, Summer McGladrigan crossed for what would be a match-winning try. The girls would defend the last minutes and celebrate their first home win of the season.
