No mercy from Magpies

BY KRISTA SCHADE

Hay Magpies played an almost flawless game on Sunday, at Ron Crowe Oval in West Wyalong, the home of the Mallee Men. The two first grade sides met for round 15 of the Group 20 Rugby League competition, but the game was stopped with six minutes on the clock.
Unlike previous matches stopped early for Hay this season, this time it was under the mercy rule, as Hay stormed home with a 64 to 6 win, scoring 11 tries.
It is the first time in the Club’s history that Hay has inflicted a mercy rule win on opponents, and comes after the Mallee Men forfeited all grades earlier in the season, when they were scheduled to travel to Hay.
The win moved the Magpies into the top five, with three rounds of the regular season remaining.
“I can’t fault anyone,” coach Chris Stewart said.
“It was a really good effort all round, but my top three would be Toby Crighton, Anare Rokosusu and Kynan Headon.”
Crighton was instrumental in many of the successful plays that the Magpies completed and Headon bagged a total of four tries, including a brilliant individual try; he dived on a loose ball and raced the length of the field to cross.
Hay opened the game with strong line defence, denying West Wyalong any passage.
On attack, Hay’s Will Barnes timed his pass to Toby Crighton until the right second. Crighton sent it in the arms of brother Jock, who’s pace sent him across the line to score.
Toby Crighton was involved in the next try, this time sending Toby Whitehead flying over.
Ben Arandt and Crighton then combined, to send Will Barnes over, before West Wyalong’s Logan Collins spied a gap in Hay’s line and scored.
Unfortunately for the hosts, this was the Mallee Men’s final opportunity, as Hay’s attack was relentless, and the Magpies moved the ball across the paddock, turning the fatigued Mallee Men inside out.
The West Wyalong forwards provided some big hits in defence, but the game’s momentum was all Hay.
Line breaks and accurate passing by Rokosusu sent Headon across for his first two tries, and James McLean’s defensive efforts further enthused the Magpies.
At half-time Hay led by 24 points.
The second half was miserable for West Wyalong players and fans, at the back end of a tough season.
Rokosusu scored on the wing before Arandt and Ben Taylor combined, getting Barnes over for his second try. Taylor’s boot helped pile on the points, kicking nine conversions, and his kicking for touch efforts gave Hay many metres of field position.
A handling error by Hay wasn’t capitalised by West Wyalong and the Magpies did not let it deter their attacking mentality, and Barnes scooted from dummy half to score again.
Defensively Jock Crighton was again outstanding and vital forward metres were gained by Arandt, Hugh Crighton and Harley Hey.
As the points piled on, a spinning try to team veteran McLean was celebrated on the paddock and in the stands, notably by son Lachlan.
“My dad just scored!”
The match ended when Rokosusu walked in his second try. The referee consulted with both captains and the final siren blew.
Final score: Hay 64 (Tries Kynan Headon 4, Will Barnes 3, Anare Rokosusu 2, Jock Crighton, Toby Whitehead, James McLean. Goals: Ben Taylor 9) defeated West Wyalong 6.
Awards: Player’s player Toby Crighton. Coaches award Kynan Headon.
It was a complete turn about in the league tag game, where a red-hot West Wyalong posted their own massive win.
After beating Yanco 50-nil in the last round the Mallee Chicks set about posting a similar score against Hay.
The Magpies scored first after Wendy Gonevulavula battled scrambling West Wyalong defence to score the game’s opening try.
That was the last opportunity Hay had, as the hosts opened a barrage of tries. Several times they scored from the kick-off, with barely a dent in the Hay line.
“We knew it was going to be a tough day in West Wyalong, missing a couple of our starting players,” coach Jessie Carter said.
“We put points on the board first, but after that Wyalong was the much better side on the day.”
Carter praised Gonevulavula for her efforts, and the leadership of Lani Houston.
“Wendy played one of her best games, in both attack and last minute try savers.
“Lani Houston stepped up in the middle of the field, giving the much-needed guidance throughout the game.”
Final score: Hay 4 (Try: Wendy Gonevulavula) West Wyalong 58
Awards: Player’s player Wendy Gonevulavula. Coaches award Lani Houston.
Hay will travel to Griffith on Sunday to meet Waratahs in three grades.
The Griffith side leads the first grade ladders, so Hay will be keen to take last week’s momentum into the game with them.
Reserve grade will play their first game in a few weeks, and coach Zac O’Neill said they could be without a couple of players.
“We are looking forward to playing top of the table,” O’Neill said.
“We should have an almost full-strength side, minus Lloyd Schulz who is injured. Ethan Harris is a 50/50 bet, but we will know more on Friday after training.”
Ladder standings after round 15: First grade now sits in fifth position, reserves in second place behind Waratahs, and league tag is in fourth spot.
Karly Fisher still leads the point scoring tally on 94, but after two big wins West Wyalong’s Caitlin Kelly has closed the gap, sitting on 90.