Cunnamulla return after hiatus
Peter Rafter Central Division
Wed 10 May 2017, 05:20 PM
Cunnamulla is the home of many former NRL stars, including Chris Close and Billy Johnstone - and after four-year absence, the mighty Cunnamulla Rams made a return to the Western Rugby League competition last Saturday.
Some members of the Cunnamulla community met in February and agreed that a rugby league club in the town would be beneficial to the whole community.
An AGM was then organised for March 28, which drew good numbers including players who were keen to play.
The committee was formed, sponsors obtained and the hard work started.
A massive effort was put in by President Dougie Widgell, a former playing legend in the area and Secretary/Registrar Bev Mitchell.
34 players were signed from the Cunnamulla area and training commenced under new coach Lawrence Anderson with many support staff.
Jerseys were ordered and insurance paid amongst many other hastily organised projects involved in getting a team up and running; let alone a club which has been in hibernation for four years.
It all restarted at Cunnamulla last Saturday with the juniors running out at 9am and a talented Cunnamulla Rams Under 12 team finishing the day for the juniors prior to the big guys coming out.
Their first up assignment was not an easy one, with the Rams drawn to play last year's undefeated premiers, the Charleville Comets.
Even though the final result did not end in true fairytale fashion, the Rams certainly put it to the Comets before eventually going down in a close game.
The players and their supporters can feel proud of their team's first up effort, with their never-say-die attitude and have a lot to look forward to in the season.
Comments from locals after the game were all positive.
Some of the feedback received included "what a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon" and "how good were our boys today?"
It was even more positive to hear "we'll be back and support them every game" from most members of the community who were there to see the Rams.
The team and their supporters celebrated well in to the night, proud of their achievements and success at their first home game.