Round two sweep for Hay Magpies, in clashes against Yanco Hawks
Jerry Balenawi (with the ball) and newly returned Ben Arandt, in action at Sunday’s clash against Yanco Wamoon Hawks. Images: The Riverine Grazier / Krista Schade.
By Krista Schade
Hay Magpies came away with three wins and a draw in their round two clash against Yanco Wamoon Hawks at Yanco on Sunday.
“It was a really good win,” coach Chris Stewart said after the game. “There was a lot of dropped ball in the first half but we turned it around and stuck to our game plan.
Against a new look Hawks outfit, the Hay side went into the first-grade match in attack mode and set the pace early with punishing runs. The side was bolstered by the inclusion of Ben Arandt at lock, who settled into the role well – his experience will be vital this season.
Harley Hey put the Hawks on notice with his first tackle, a massive warning shot on what the Yanco side should expect from the Magpies defence.
Yanco scored first from a clever intercept before Anare ‘Rex’ Rokosusu threatened with every carry and crossed to score Hay’s first points.
In the forwards Zane Gash took multiple hit-ups and after a scuffle with the Hawks, Jerry Balenawi showed his strength, posting a big run and busting through defence.
At half-time Hay trailed four points to six, but within two minutes mercurial Will Barnes scored. Yanco made another break but were pulled down by the determined effort of fullback Kynan Headon.
The momentum rolled and Arandt scored next, followed soon after by Headon and the Ben Taylor, as Hay’s attack hit another gear. Yanco, in comparison showed undisciplined play, and they lost control of their game plan.
Headon pulled off another try-saving tackle, and on the opposite wing Dylan Lund and Balenawi pushed the Hawks from the field.
The home side was able to post another try before time ran out but Hay posted it’s first win of the season, with a 14-point margin.
“We wore them down and completed our sets well. There is still room for improvement but we defended well. There were only two tries scored against us, both from intercepts,” Stewart said.
The coach named Ben Arandt, Harley Hey and Will Barnes as his best players.
Final score: Hay 26 (Tries: Anare Rokosusu, Will Barnes, Ben Arandt, Kynan Headon, Ben Tayor. Goals: Ben Taylor 3) Yanco Wamoon 12.
Awards: Player’s player Ben Arandt. Coaches award: Harley Hey.
Video courtesy Noah Hey
Hay’s success opened with a stellar performance from the league tag side, who rolled the Hawks by 40 points, round two’s biggest winning margin across the competition.
Larissa Sorensen’s defence was again outstanding and she and Hannah Stewart applied relentless pressure.
New recruit Noa Magliocchetti is proving herself with every game, and Amira Ismail stood solidly against heaving Hawks attention.
Hay took the lead early with an incredible display of well-timed passes and skilled running and the points piled on. Karly Fisher scored a hat-trick and Sophie Curtis bagged a double.
Captain Lily Weymouth was unlucky not to score, and led the team by example. Hay displayed a much more settled style of play, which worked in their favour, in the face of the Hawks rough game plan.
The host side’s only points came from a penalty goal, on the full-time siren, which is a testament to Hay’s defence.
Final score: Hay 42 (Tries: Karly Fisher 3, Sophie Curtis 2, Wendy Gonvulavula, Casey Thomson, Monica Andrews. Goals: Karly Fisher 5) Yanco 2.
Above left - Karly Fisher scored three tries in the league tag game, and Hannah Stewart’s (right) kicking game was once again vital to the team’s solid win.
The reserve grade side played a gruelling match against the Hawks with tempers flaring on several occasions.
The home side scored first, thanks to a good bounce of the ball, but Hay stepped up their pressure, on the back of incredible defence by Shaun Aylett and Ryan Gash – both look set to enjoy successful seasons.
In attack John Weymouth and coach Zac O’Neill led from the front, but it was rookie Jacob Lund who had the Hay crowd on their feet, cheering. Lund is improving with every match, as his confidence grows.
“Jacob Lund was great,” O’Neill said. “We did slip back into our old ways, and tried to score off every set we had with the ball.”
New recruit Ethan Whyman scored on the wing, before Yanco scored again. Jermaine Dixon scored next for Hay, bringing up his 100th Group 20 try – He and Shayne Kennedy look comfortable on the field and were instrumental in directing play.
On the back of Aylett’s efforts, Whyman and fellow recruit Tyrelle Jones combined to take Hay into the half-time break with a 14-8 lead.
Patty Miller raced away with an intercept and crossed the tryline but the referee ruled it a strip and his points were denied.
Tempers flared and Miller and the Hawks full-back were sent to the sin-bin to cool off.
James McLean’s attack had the crowd on its feet before Ryan Gash managed to scoot from dummy half to score, however Yanco scored next to inch closer.
The Hawks attacked the line in the dying minutes and managed to score on the siren to even the score at 18 all. Their conversion kick was off, resulting in a draw.
Final score: Hay 18 (Tries: Ethan Whyman 2, Jermaine Dixon, Ryan Gash. Goals: Patty Miller) Yanco Wamoon 18.
Reserve grade coach Zac O’Neill named rookie Jabob Lund the best on ground in the gruelling round 2 game.
Hay also won the women’s 9’s match even though the Hawks scored the first two tries and went into the break leading by four.
The speed of Wendy Gonvulavula was on display, and the defence of Monica Andrews, Kayla Barrett and Noa Magliocchetti kept the Hawks quiet.
For Hay, Ellie Darlow and Larissa Sorensen (pictured below) were also key to the Magpies wins, pushing Hawks from the field.
Final score: Hay 16 (Tries: Wendy Gonvulavula, Hannah Stewart, Larissa Sorensen. Gaols: Wendy Gonvulavula 2) Yanco Wamoon 10.
Hay will host Tullibigeal Lakes United Sharks at Hay Park on Sunday, after the Sharks enjoyed a round two bye.
