Hay teams post wins across the codes
Hay Magpies Will Barnes was named amongst the best in the first grade win over TLU Sharks. Image: The Riverine Grazier / Krista Schade
By Krista Schade
Hay was superbly represented by its senior sporting teams on the weekend, with wins posted across the various men’s and women’s competitions.
On Saturday, Hay Cutters Rugby Union Club travelled to Wagga Wagga for the 2025 season opener against Wagga Waratahs. After last year’s second consecutive premiership victory in the third-grade competition, the decision was made to return to the Southern Inland Rugby Union second grade.
With no trial games, there were doubts whether the 2025 Cutters side would get the result they were looking for. However, with the leadership of Ed Lilburne who returned as head coach, and good turn-outs to training during the sweltering summer months, momentum built towards the hit-out on Saturday, and Hay fielded a 23-man side.
After a stiff 10 minutes it was Hay that finally broke the will of Waratahs, when Harry Agar crossed the line. Agar was damaging in the backs, partnering with Digby Lilburne in the centres. The Cutters dominated and at half-time led 12-0.
The only crack in the Cutters’ defence came when Waratahs put in one big push in the Cutters 22, which saw stalemate for 10 minutes. Hay finally conceded when Waratahs got a full arm penalty and kicked it over the unbreakable forwards line. Their winger was out wide and he scored. The lapse was compounded with a 14-man side after Hay’s Jack Lawrence was yellow carded for a professional foul. Another try came shortly after, off the back of an intercept.
When the bell sounded the final score saw Cutters victorious 33-12. Notable mentions were the front row which included Anthony Toscan, Nature, Tobias and veteran Will Brown.
Final score: Hay Cutters defeated Wagga Waratahs 33-12 (Tries – Harry Agar, Rhys Miller, Tobias Gozalez, Digby Lilburne, James Harrison. Conversions – Harry Agar 3/5) . Points – 3 Tobias Gozalez, 2 Mel Graham (captain), 1 Hugo Fraser. Players’ Player - Angus Knox.
Hay Lions in action against Murrabit. Image: Steph Cattanach.
Hay Lions hit the road for the first time this season to take on the Murrabit Blues in round two of the Golden Rivers League. Fielding a different senior AFL team that took on the Swans in the opening game last weekend, the Lions needed to call on the services of seven players who were doubling up from earlier games to fill the 22.
The first quarter went trade for trade, a frenzy of locked up footy and both teams entering their fifty zones without taking full advantage of early opportunities, until the eighth minute when Murrabit kicked the first major.
The Lions opener came 10 minutes later courtesy of forward fifty tackle pressure from Liam Whitbourne, swinging a quick release handball from the turnover into the waiting hands of Jack Headon, kicking check side and deadly, straight through the middle. Headon went on to kick a total of six goals for the match
With both teams applying high-octane pressure at the contest, it was hard to find space and opportunity to apply scoreboard impact. Two hard fought goals apiece for the quarter, with the Lions increasing their lead by a single point to lead by 13 at the main break.
The Lions had to draw on every reserve to withstand the unrelenting forward run and pressure of a Murrabit team that did not move out of top gear for the entire second half. Inaccuracy in front of goals in the third, with five behinds and only two majors could have been costly, however, the backline stood up against repeated opposition entries to ensure the Blues did not get a scoreboard run on.
Holding on to an 11-point lead heading into the last with a bench that was running on empty, the Lions had to dig as deep as they ever had to withstand a swarming Murrabit. However, two quick goals to the Blues and the scoreboard was locked up at 53 all.
To their credit, Hay kept grinding away, lifting their intensity when challenged and having enough class on the outside to keep surging forward. When a window presented, the Lions pounced with three goals in succession, finally getting their roll on and out to the biggest lead of the match.
New recruit Dyl Collis played his first game in Lions colours in the midfield and made an immediate offensive and defensive impact. He gathered possessions at will with his ability to dictate the play and control the tempo, making it difficult to match up and impossible to nullify.
Final score: Hay 10: 14 74 to Murrabit’s 10: 8 68. Coach’s top six: Dylan Collis, Ferg Cattanach, Jack Headon, Thomas McGufficke, Cooper Scott, Daniel Stewart. Goals: Jack Headon 6, Dylan Collis, Ferg Cattanach, Cooper Scott, and Kenneth Jubb one each.
Hay Magpies Rex Rokosusu scored a hat trick of tries in the first grade win over an undermanned TLU Sharks. Image: The Riverine Grazier / Krista Schade.
On Sunday Hay Magpies faced Tullibigeal Lakes United (TLU) Sharks in just two grades, following the Sharks forfeit of the reserve grade match. Despite the forfeit the Sharks still only played 12 men in total during the first grade match.
Hay’s first point came from a break by winger Billy Fixter, who sent Hugh Crighton sailing over under the posts. Soon after brother Jock Crighton also scored, on the back of solid busting runs by Zane Gash and Harley Hey. The Sharks bit back with a try to Ned Phillips, who deftly chased a deep kick to score. However, the momentum for the rest of the half was all in Hay’s favour. Lock Ben Arandt busted over for the Magpies, before Gash’s next break allowed a swift pass to Hey, who finished the effort off, scoring under the posts. Rex Rokosusu palmed defenders off to score before the siren, and Hay went into the break with a 26 point margin.
Despite good service from Jayden Kelly, who’s kicking game has lost little sting, Hay crossed again twice. Hugh Crighton grabbed his second try, before Rokosusu scored from the next kickoff, almost untouched, to post a hat trick of tries.
Jerry Balenawi made big powerful runs to give Hay space but it was a clever Kelly kick that gave TLU a chance. Kelly regathered his own chip over the top to score and then convert as well. Dylan Lund scored next for the Magpies but even as the Sharks energy faltered Todd Collins capitalised on a Magpies error and scored. Lund sent a well-timed pass across to Shaun Aylett under full steam, and he crossed for the Magpies, before Hey’s refusal to surrender to defenders was rewarded with another try in the final moments of the game.
In all, Hay posted a whopping 11 tries to the Sharks three, however the visitors gave good service for the entire game, but were outnumbered.
Final score: Hay Magpies 50 (Tries Rex Rokosusu 3, Hugh Crighton 2, Harley Hey 2, Jock Crighton, Ben Arandt, Dylan Lund, Shaun Aylett. Goals: Ben Taylor 3) TLU Sharks 14. Coaches top three - Zane Gash, Harley Hey and Will Barnes.
The tagging efforts of Noa Magliocchetti were on display in Sunday’s league tag win over TLU Sharks. Image: The Riverine Grazier / Krista Schade.
The Magpies league tag side fought back from a quick start by the Sharks, who scored three times, early in the first half.
In the final seven minutes of the first half Karly Fisher crossed to get Hay on the board. Lily Weymouth and Lani Houston combined and Weymouth was unlucky not to score, however Wendy Gonevulavula scored on the next play and Hay went into the break trailing by two points.
The Magpies ramped up pressure in the second half. The tagging efforts of Noa Magliocchetti were on display and Kayla Barrett made many valuable metres with each carry. Emily Shea made her first grade debut on Sunday and like all the players coming through the junior ranks, she was not intimidated by the much older opposition. On the back of multiple penalties Hay enjoyed repeat sets, but the Shark line held until Weymouth weaved over to score, and Hay hit the lead for the first time. Gonevulavula increased pressure on TLU ball carriers and forced an error. Lily Plum followed up with a blinding run, before Gonevulvula crossed for her second to seal the win for Hay.
Final score: Hay 24 (Tries Wendy Gonevulavula 2, Karly Fisher, Lily Weymouth. Goals Karly Fisher 4)
This weekend’s games
Hay Cutters will host their first home game this Friday night against WAC (Wagga Ag College) at Hay Park’s number one oval, scheduled for 6.30pm kick-off.
On Saturday Hay Lions will head to Ultima for a second away game on the trot.
Hay Magpies will enjoy another home game on Sunday, hosting Yenda Blueheelers at Hay Park’s number one oval. Junior Magpies will play from 9am, with senior games from noon.
