Some wins for Hay Lions and Magpies, Cutters post agonising loss and Balranald Roos struggle
BY KRISTA SCHADE
It was a weekend of mixed results across all local codes of rugby league, rugby union, netball, AFL and league tag.
To start the weekend Hay Lions senior AFL side completely outclassed the visiting Wandella Bombers at Hay Park on Saturday.
The Lions posted a 78-point win over the Bombers, with Declan Watson booting five goals and Dylan Collis bagging three majors. The Lions on-ball brigade of the Cattanach brothers, Jacob Watson and Collis got on top early in the final quarter with their run and carry and handball chains through the corridor too slick for their opponents.
It was a welcome return to the team for defensive enforcer Hugh Crighton whose tackle pressure intimidated like no other. Justin Ellis playing his first game in Lions colours since 2016, was a huge presence around the ground and up forward. Young Dan Jamieson made some handy contributions using the ball well to hit up targets and apply good defensive pressure.
At the final siren, the Lions top six players were Jacob Watson, Daniel Stewart, Dylan Collis, Simon Bunyan, Jack Cattanach and Jack Headon.
Seniors final score: Hay Lions 15:11 (101) defeated Wandella 2:11 (23)
Lions Netball scored wins in A grade, B grade, B reserves, C grade and under 17s.
Scores:
A Grade Hay 62 defeated Wandella 39.
B Grade Hay 44 defeated Wandella 24.
B Reserve Grade Hay 58 defeated Wandella 26.
C Grade Hay 47 defeated Wandella 29.
Under 17s Hay 79 defeated Wandella 16.
Under 14's Wandella 31 defeated Hay 29.
Under 12s Wandella 29 defeated Hay 10.
Right: Hay Lions’ Kelly Walker was snapped shooting for goal as Ellie Parr waits for any rebounds. Image: supplied.
Hay Cutters Rugby Union also played on Saturday hosting Wagga City , and went down by the narrowest of margins - a single point.
At the final siren, Wagga took the win 38 points to 37. Tries were scored by William Brown, Mac Symonds, Oliver Cameron and Digby Lilburne, with Harry Agar booting four conversions and three penalty goals. The Cutters next meet Wagga Reddies on Saturday at Leeton Sportsground.
Pictured below is James Harrison in action with the ball on Saturday, with Digby Lilburne left) and Harry Agar in support. Image: The Riverine Grazier / Margie McClelland.
The Balranald Roos experienced a weekend of varied results across their football and netball grades, facing Mallee Eagles.
On the football front, the Balranald Colts team stood out, securing a victory against the Mallee Eagles Colts. The Colts delivered a strong performance, winning with 143 points to Mallee Eagles' 43 points. Best players for the victorious Balranald Colts were: Lucas Griffiths, Joseph Scalora, Jacob Zanker, Jett Militto, Levi Ryan and Tarkyn Doyle.
The senior AFL sides suffered large losses at the hands of the Eagles, who started strongly in the senior match, and took a 122-point win. Final score: Mallee Eagles 22-17 (149) To Balranald Roos 3-9 (27). The Roos' best players in the senior game were: Seth Connell, Daniel Harris, Tim Marsh, Ryan Middlebrook, Cruz Jolliffe, and Jack Helgeland.
The Roos Seniors are scheduled to head to Kerang this weekend to play the team positioned just one place above them on the ladder.
In the Reserves grade, Balranald also faced a loss against the Eagles who recorded a 171-point win . The best players for Balranald were James Wray, Jacob Shannon, William McGufficke, Phil Connell, Mitchell Carmichael, and Grant Harper.
The Balranald Under 15 team was defeated by the Mallee Eagles 61 points to 22. Best players in the 15 game included Billy Fitzgerald, Archie Alderuccio, Leslie Bodinnar, Will Cimino, Keegan Hillerman and Joshua Renfrey.
On the netball courts, and despite valiant efforts, the Balranald A Grade, B Grade, and B Reserve netball teams could not secure a win. The A Grade Bal Roos went down 35 – 62 against the Eagles. The B Grade Roos lost 36 to Lake Albert's 50. The B Reserve Roos were defeated 32 to 50.
Ben Taylor attracted attention in the first grade match against Griffith Black & Whites, and required heavy strapping following a high shot. Image: The Riverine Grazier / Krista Schade.
On Sunday Hay Magpies travelled to Griffith’s EW Moore Oval, to face Griffith Black & Whites in four grades.
The women’s tackle team and reserve grade sides each posted gritty, solid wins against the host side.
The reserve grade side is yet to lose a match, and the women’s tackle side will now move to the top of the ladder, undefeated, with three wins under their belts. In the women’s match, Amirah Ismail pulled off the tackle of the game, soundly grounding her Black & Whites opponent. Hay took the win with a hatrick of tries to Wendy Gonevulavula and two tries to captain Lily Weymouth 26 points to 14.
Coach Zac O’Neill rallied the reserve grade troops and led the team forward, after Black & Whites scored two quick tries to start the game.
“When we stuck to our game plan and played good football we completed our sets and dominated,” O’Neill said after the game. “Our defence was unreal.”
Ethan Harris was outstanding in both attack and defence, and his efforts were rewarded with a try in the 20 to 12 win for Hay.
Hay’s first grade and league tag side suffered at the hands of co-ordinated Black & Whites attack.
““For us, it was our worst game of the season,” first grade coach Chris Stewart said. “We made 18 errors and we wouldn’t beat anyone giving away so much ball.”
The first grade side was impacted by the loss of Toby and Jock Crighton to injury, but was able to bolster its ranks with quality players like John Weymouth and Shaun Aylett, who were solid.
“On a positive note, it looks like we will be at full strength for the first time this year with Toby and Jock back next week.” Stewart said.
Stewart named Will Barnes, Ben Arandt and Shaun Aylett as his best players, and said he is still looking forward to welcoming players into the side. “(We still have) Toby Whitehead and Jye Thompson, who will work their way back into the side via second grade.”
Final score: Hay 20 (Tries: Will Barnes 3, Harley Hey. Goals: Ben Taylor 2) Griffith 28.
Hay lost the league tag match, scoring 6 points to Black & Whites 38. Hay’s only try was scored by Rhi Moore, who is enjoying a spree of outstanding match performances. She scored after pulling off a swift intercept. Lani Houston and Monica Andrews gave the crowd a reason to cheer, as they ran the ball fearlessly and Karly Fisher and Larissa Sorensen managed to avoid a larger scoreline, thanks to their tagging efforts.
Below: (Left) Captain Lily Weymouth scored two tries in the women’s tackle match, as Luke Williams and John Weymouth (centre) ground out a win with reserve grade. (Right) Simon Parr was solid in defence for Hay, during the first grade game. Images: The Riverine Grazier / Krista Schade.
This weekend’s games:
Hay Lions on the road to meet Macorna Tigers at Macorna Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Balranald Roos will meet Kerang at Riverside Park, Kerang on Saturday.
Hay Cutters will meet Wagga Reddies on Saturday at Leeton Sportsground.
Hay Magpies will host a struggling West Wyalong Malleemen at Hay Park on Saturday afternoon. The Malleemen have faced serious player shortages and will bring just a league tag and first grade side to Hay.
