The Temora Rugby Union Club men’s team (Tuskers) closed out their season with a spirited 40-21 loss against competition leaders Boorowa Goldies, pushing the defending premiers all the way after producing one of their most impressive opening performances of the year. Travelling to Boorowa Showground to face the minor premiers and premiership favourites, the Tuskers were widely expected to face an uphill battle in their Central West Rugby Union South West Fuels Cup game last Saturday. However, they stunned their opponents by racing away to a 14-0 lead inside the opening 14 minutes. The Tuskers, a side that had developed a reputation for slow starts throughout the season, turned the script completely on its head. The Tuskers’ joint coach Kris Dunstan said his forwards dominated possession through disciplined ball retention and powerful carries, laying the perfect platform for the backline to showcase its attacking flair. “Both early tries were classic examples of well-executed backline rugby, built on crisp passing, precise timing and genuine pace that caught Boorowa's highly-rated backs off guard,” Dunstan said. “On each occasion, rookie flyhalf Cooper Gersbach delivered early ball to inside centre Freddy Vosebeci, who sliced through the defensive line with damaging runs. “Vosebeci’s first break created space for centre partner Billy Winkley, who offloaded nicely to Connor Hawkesworth to finish out wide, while moments later the talented inside centre backed up with another line break before crossing himself. “Fullback Ryan Jordan converted both tries for a dream start.” However, the Tuskers’ lead was soon reeled in by a Goldies’ team that has occupied top spot on the ladder for most of the season. “A succession of penalties and some astute tactical kicking handed the Goldies valuable field position, allowing their larger forward pack to build pressure close to the line,” Dunstan said. “They eventually muscled their way through our defence to draw level, with the teams locked together at 14-all at the halftime break.” To their credit, the Tuskers refused to go away and continued to compete strongly after the restart, but the Goldies’ experience started to come to the fore. “The Goldies crossed for the opening two tries of the second half to establish a decisive lead and demonstrate why they enter the finals as premiership favourites,” Dunstan said. “We continued to ask questions of the Boorowa defence until the final whistle and were rewarded when Ryan Jordan produced one of the tries of the afternoon. “The young fullback sliced through the Goldies’ backline from broken play, weaving past defenders to score a brilliant individual effort. “Jordan's try, combined with three successful conversions, marked a welcome return to top form after an injury-interrupted season that had limited his opportunities throughout the year.” Dunstan highlighted some standout performers. “Freddy Vosebeci was outstanding in the midfield and was named our best back, while forwards Decklan Reardon and Zac Breust were tireless throughout the contest, leading the physical battle against one of the competition’s biggest packs,” he said. Dunstan took plenty of positives, while reflecting on a 2026 campaign that he said could best be described as “close but no cigar”. The Tuskers recorded three wins, but were competitive throughout the year, collecting six bonus points from losses by seven points or fewer. Among those were heartbreaking two-point defeats to semi-finalists Harden and Condobolin, while the Tuskers also claimed an impressive opening-round victory over Cootamundra. “Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the season was the continued development of an emerging young squad,” Dunstan said. “Unlike previous rebuilding years, we were competitive every week and did not concede more than 40 points in any of our 14 matches. “We enjoyed one of our most productive attacking seasons in recent memory, with exciting finishers Connor Hawkesworth and Bailey Purcell consistently providing points-scoring opportunities.” The finals will go ahead without the Tuskers, but the signs from this season suggest they are heading in the right direction. The Tuskers will enter next season with genuine belief they can challenge for a finals berth with another year of experience for the squad and a host of talented young players continuing to mature.
