Clean sweep for Hay in battle of the birds - Hay Magpies defeat Yanco Wamoon Hawks
By Krista Schade
A massive scoreline in the reserve grade match has floated Hay Magpies to the top of the ladder, following round 11 of the Group 20 competition.
Hay met Yanco Wamoon Hawks and the 38-point victory has firmed up the Magpies as finals contenders.
With seven rounds to go, Hay will meet TLU Sharks next week and the barnstorming reserve grade squad should easily account for them and West Wyalong in round 15 on current form.
Challenges will come from Black & Whites and Leeton at the back end but Hay will enjoy the home ground advantage.
Meeting second-placed Griffith Waratahs at the Exies Oval in round 16 will be the toughest test in the leadup to the finals.
The kick returns of fullback Patty Miller made easy metres into attacking positions for Hay, as newly appointed captain Lloyd Schulz and Shayne Kennedy directed the play across the paddock.
“We defended our line well for three sets a couple of times, from mistakes or penalties,” coach Zac O’Neill said after the game.
“We had to dig in and we did – we only let Yanco in once for the whole game.”
Conrad McGinty returned to the field for Hay and started well, with a solid 35 metre carry, before suffering what could be a season-ending injury in the very next set.
Ethan Harris bagged a hat trick of tries, moving him to outright ladder leader in the competition, with a season total of nine. Ryan Gash was blindingly accurate off the tee, booting six conversions.
O’Neill has the ability to lead his squad with dedication, by leading very much from the front, and has built a team roster that boasts player numbers not seen since the Club’s heydays - fans are quietly confident of an exciting finals series.
Hay’s reserve grade has conceded 92 points for the whole season, a better statistic than any other club in both grades of the men’s 2025 competition.
Final score: Hay 42 defeated Yanco 4.
Tries: Ethan Harris (3), Patty Miller, Jermaine Dixon, Lloyd Schulz, and Tarelle Jones. Goals: Ryan Gash (6) and Patty Miller Awards: Coaches Patty Miller. Player’s player: Lloyd Schulz
Hay’s first grade side fought out a grinding win over the Hawks, in a match where the game switched momentum many times.
Coach Christ Stewart said he was happy with the win.
“Once again we were on the wrong end of the penalty count,” Stewart said. “It felt like every 50/50 call went against us, but we hung in.”
Hay’s first try to the energetic Hugh Crighton came off the back of a well-placed kick by Ben Taylor, whose boot has become increasingly pivotal as the season progresses.
Yanco scored next before Harley Hey scored out wide to make it 12-6 at half-time.
Mercurial Anare Rokosusu broke the Hawks line and hooker Will Barnes scored next for Hay.
Possession switched, allowing Yanco to score two tries to even the score at 18-all before Ben Arandt crashed over the line to secure the win for Hay.
“BT (Taylor) kicked well all day, and Toby Whitehead topped the hit-up count for the wing,” Stewart said. He named Taylor, Whitehead and Toby Crighton as his top three performing players.
Heading on the road to meet TLU Sharks at Lake Cargellico should result in a win for Hay in all grades, but the Sharks have improved across the season, so are not to be taken lightly, especially at home.
The first-grade squad needs to win the majority of the remaining seven rounds to demand a spot in the finals.
Their biggest challenges will be against the undefeated Waratahs in Griffith and Leeton Greens at Hay Park, in the final two rounds. But without settling penalties and playing to the whistle, anything is possible.
Final score: Hay 24 defeated Yanco 18.
Tries: Hugh Crighton, Ben Arandt, Will Barnes, and Harley Hey. Goals: Ben Taylor (4). Awards: Coaches Toby Whitehead. Player’s player Ben Taylor.
Hay’s league tag squad played out a clinical game in the curtain-raiser, posting a complete shut-out of the Hawks.
“We played around with a lot of different structures throughout the game and this didn’t faze the girls, they still stuck in and really started to show a gel in the team,” coach Jessie Carter said.
Carter said Lily Plum had a great game at fullback and made good metres with her returns, while Sophie Curtis had a stellar game in attack, landing herself a hat trick of tries.
Karly Fisher’s two tries and bag of four conversions floated her to the top of the season point scoring ladder, with a total of 80 points.
She sits just above Leeton’s Taylor Axtill, who is on 76.
Final score: Hay 46 defeated Yanco 0
Tries: Sophie Curtis (3), Karly Fisher (2), Hannah Stewart, Rhiannon Moore, and Wendy Gonevulavula. Goals: Karly Fisher (4) and Wendy Gonevulavula. Awards: Coaches Sophie Curtis. Player’s player Lily Plum
In the women's tackle match, Hay came out strongly.
“We’ve been working hard at training on getting a better standard of footy, running harder, tackling harder and the girls did that on the weekend,” Carter said.
“Hannah Stewart had a blinder of a game all round, getting us great metres in attack, even running the length of the field from a kick off, she was also crucial in defence, making many try saving tackles.
“Noa stepped out of her shell this weekend and finally put what she’s been showing us at training out on the field - strong runs and great tackles.”
The Hay side is arguably the best in the newly formed women’s tackle competition, but the soft launch of the competition by Group 20 – not every club has teams playing - means it has been difficult to properly gauge the quality the Magpies have on the field.
Final score: Hay 26 defeated Yanco 14
Tries: Larissa Sorensen, Noa Magliochetti, Hannah Stewart, and Wendy Gonevulavula. Goals: Wendy Gonevulavula (3). Awards: Coaches Noa Magliochetti. Player’s player Hannah Stewart.
