Hay Magpies historic clean sweep in Griffith

Hay Magpies pulled off a rare clean sweep against Griffith Waratah Tigers, at their home ground Exies Oval, on Saturday, in round 16 of the Group 20 rugby league competition.
The Magpies pulled off a couple of nail-biting finishes, to scoop what is believed to be the first clean sweep of victories against Waratahs in Griffith.
The thrilling win to first grade ensures the team a finals berth for the first time in 12 years, and just the second time since joining Group 20 in 2007.
They accounted for the competition’s front runners by the narrowest of margins, but took the two points, and now move to fourth spot, with two rounds to go.
Trailing 16 nil at half-time, the Magpies mounted their efforts and secured the two-point win.
First grade coach Chris Stewart praised his side, after the match.
“We spoke all week about meeting ‘Tahs head on with a physical start, which we did, led by Harley Hey, Jerry Balenawi and Shaun Aylett.”
Hay ran into a strong wind in the first half and trailed by 16, but Stewart said the team’s confidence remained high.
“We were confident we’d get back into the game especially with the wind behind us in the second half. “
Hay started the second half strongly with two tries to the mercurial Ben Taylor to close the gap to 16 - 12. Waratah scored again, bringing the score to 20-12 with 22 minutes of game time remaining.
The Magpies lost Balenawi to the sinbin for a cannonball tackle, that should have ended Hay’s hopes.
“But we hung in there with 12 players and showed unbelievable effort,” Stewart said.
“Every time they broke the line a black (Magpies) shirt would appear out of nowhere.”
With 12 minutes of game time left, Jock Crighton was the victim of a spear tackle, which saw the Griffith side also lose a player, evening up the numbers.
Following on from his fine form in past games, Kynan Headon broke the Waratahs line to score and reduce the margin to 20 - 16.
With just four minutes left on the clock, Aylett crashed over to even the score, and Taylor’s accurate kick pulled Hay ahead.
“We hung in,” Stewart said.
“But we aren’t done yet. A win this weekend against Leeton will secure a home final, and it is Harley’s 200th game for the club, so we hope to get a big crowd to celebrate that and cheer us on to another win.”
Hay will be without Toby and Hugh Crighton, due to injury, but Zane Gash and Brad Pocock will be available to bolster the ranks.
Final score: Hay 22 (Tries: Ben Taylor 2, Kynan Headon, Shaun Aylett. Goals: Ben Taylor 2) defeated Griffith Waratahs 20.
The reserve grade game was won after the siren had sounded, thanks to the inattention of the home side.
Hay and Waratahs sit in first and second place on the Toby Blunt Cup ladder, so the top of the table clash was destined to be an entertaining one.
Shayne Kennedy put a booming kick up on the siren, and with the scoreboard in the Waratahs favour, they celebrated early, despite the whistle not yet blown to signify the game’s end.
Kennedy’s kick was gathered up by Patty Miller, who scored, and Ryan Gash’s perfect conversion rate for the day stole the win for the Magpies.
“It was a good win for us,” reserves coach Zac O’Neill said. “Some would say a lucky win.”
O’Neill named Jack Bolger, Quentin Plum, Phillip Hunter, Tarelle Jones and Kennedy as his top performing players.
“Ryan Gash’s goal kicking was the difference,” O’Neill said. Both sides scored four tries apiece, but Griffith’s Luke Farmer missed two conversion attempts.
“It was our first hit out all together in six or eight weeks, so hopefully that has blown the cobwebs out and we are ready to knock Leeton off.”
Leeton sits in third place on the ladder.
Hay will welcome back Lloyd Schulz in the round 17 home game at Hay Park on Sunday, however there are injury doubts surrounding Jermaine Dixon.
Final score: Hay 24 (Tries - Zane Gash, Shayne Kennedy, Phillip Hunter, Patty Miller. Goals - Ryan Gash 4) defeated Griffith Waratahs 20
In the league tag match, Hay was able to post a bigger winning margin over the Waratahs.
For Hay, Sophie Curtis scored first, followed by a hat trick of tries to the talented Wendy Gonevulavula.
Final score: Hay 22 (Tries - Wendy Gonevulavula 3, Sophie Curtis. Goals - Karly Fisher 3) defeated Griffith Waratahs 10.
Sunday’s game at Hay Park will be Hay Magpies final hit out before the finals, drawing the final round bye.
Games start at 12.15pm