IN the Cooma – Monaro Express on Thursday September 20, 1984, a detailed account of the Cooma Stallions' 1984 premiership win delighted readers.

'How the Stallions Won' By Mick Glasheen

IT's Cooma, Cooma, Cooma! And Stallions go, go go – I’m still hoarse from shouting so much!

Eighty minutes of football is a long time and weren’t we treated to spectacle of great grand final football last Sunday.

In case you haven’t heard, the Cooma Stallions first grade won the Group 16 rugby league premiership at Bega last Sunday.

Unfortunately, after putting in a wholehearted effort, the reserve grade squad went down to the Bega side.

In the main game, Cooma came out very strongly and dominated the first 15-minutes of play.

On several occasions, the Stallions looked as if they were going to break clear. Chris Mould, Mark Weston, Craig Schofield and Graham Elliot all looked threatening.

On several occasions, when Bombala-Delegate were caught down in their own half, they sought to kick out.

On each occasion, Mick Thomas and Johnny Crisp were there to recover and take the ball back into the Bombala-Delegate half.

After the 15th minute, Bombala-Delegate found more ball coming their way and for the first time they looked threatening.

Cooma’s defence, put under pressure for the first time in the match, momentarily wilted and Bombala-Delegate’s Calloway, taking advantage weaved through to score.

The conversion was unsuccessful.

Cooma, unfortunately, was not given much respite and Bombala-Delegate was in again to score several minutes later through winger, Ingram.

Again, the conversion was unsuccessful but the scoreline read eights points to nil.

Cooma has developed a great will to win over the season and it was this attitude which brought them right back into the game.

Craig Schofield made very strong run up the centre of the field, but he lacked support and was tackled on the Bombala-Delegate quarterline.

Cooma needed points on the board and they came in the form of a penalty goal, successfully kicked by Johnny Crisp.

Attempts at field goals seem to be an integral part of the Bombala-Delegate game and so it was with only minutes to go before half time that their captain coach Steve McKenzie put one over. At half time the score was 9-2.

Rod Harrogan failed to come out in the second half and was replaced by Dean Lynch, who did a fine job.

Harrogan did a lot of defence in the first half, including a match-winning covering tackle, and was injured midway through the half.

Soon after half-time, Bombala-Delegate pushed their way into the Cooma half and Steve McKenzie had another shot at field goal.

This was waved away. Now it was Cooma's turn and with Mick Tilse coordinating play, they threw everything at Bombala-Delegate.

Craig Schofield was having a blinder and made several breaks. Cooma was throwing the ball around and eventually around the 20th minute, Bernie Shaw went in to score in the corner after a sweeping backline movement

Cooma's defence held true and at the bell, the Stallions were premiers for 1984, 12 points to 9 over Bombala-Delegate.