Sports wrap - Cutters and Lions book grand final spots, as Magpies earn home final

It was a big weekend around the grounds.

Hay Lions senior slide in to grand final

Hay Lions senior squad have catapulted straight into the grand final, following Saturday’s win over Ultima Roos.
Hay Lions hosted the first finals games, and Hay Park was abuzz with AFL and netball matches, as the final Golden Rivers season draws to a close.
The seniors game was a rematch of last year’s grand final, where Hay lost to the Roos by an agonising one point.
The scores were locked at 31-points apiece at half-time, before Hay pulled ahead in the third and fourth quarters to take the 25-point win.
The loss means Ultima will now meet Moulamein on Saturday at Wandella, for a second crack at a grand final spot.
Moulamein easily accounted for Murrabit in their final, by 33 points, ending Murrabit’s season.
Hay Lions now have a week off, to prepare for the grand final, which will be played at Macorna Recreation Reserve on September 6.
Final score: Hay 12.16-88 defeated Ultima 10.3-63
Better players: Fergus Cattanach, Jack Cattanach, Jacob Watson, Dean Aylett, Dylan Collis and Jayden Kinces.
Goals: Dean Aylett 2, Declan Watson 2, Dylan Collis 2, Jack Headon 2, Jacob Watson 2, Fergus Cattanach, and Harry Loughnan.
The Lions Reserve Grade side narrowly defeated Wandella Bombers by five points in the preliminary final.
They will next travel to Wandella on Saturday, to meet Murrabit in a must-win match.
Final score: Hay 11.5-71 defeated Wandella 10.6-66
Better players: Tim Zambon, Angus Gardiner, Simon Darlow, Tyson Conn, Liam Whitbourne and William Auldist.
The Lions under 18s side suffered a 26-point loss at the hands of Ultima, ending their season’s run.
Final score: Hay 5.4-30 defeated by Ultima 9.6-60.
Better players: Jack Hutchings, Josh Gardiner, Hilton Hargreaves, Dan Jamieson, Alex Giddins and Kobe Payne.
Hay’s under 15s also suffered a loss, going down by 28 points to Murrabit.
Their grand final hopes are still alive and they will meet Macorna on Saturday. The winner will meet Murrabit in the grand final.
Final score: Hay 1.6-12 defeated by 6.4-40
Better players: Harry Houston, Max Hutchings, Alex Giddins, Nash Payne and Bill Houston.

Nail-biting finish sends Hay Cutters to grand final

BY TOM LILBURNE

After last week’s close loss to Wagga City for a grand final spot, it was all on the line for Hay Cutters.
They faced the Wagga Waratahs in Griffith in the semi-final of the Southern Inland Rugby Union competition.
Waratahs lost both round games to Cutters but were coming off a hot winning streak, and the confidence of a reinforced side, coming from the top down.
Cutters sported its strongest side yet, with all players returned from injury, aside from Tom O’Rafferty.
From the kick-off, Cutters won the ball and went to their game plan of pick and driving off the ruck, and short runs off skipper James Graham.
This was quickly rewarded with a try in the first five minutes of play from William Marshall, back from injury.
Cutters kept Waratahs away from their try line on the returning kick with great defence.
Again, Hay crossed the line to take the lead out to 14-0 with a try from winger Ollie Cameron. Waratahs stayed in the fight as they worked hard to the end of the half.
They took advantage of scrappy Cutters infringements in the ruck, and scored to take the score into halftime 14-5.
With a shaky end to the half the Cutter worked hard in the second half to keep the Warathas from gaining momentum.
Despite this, Waratahs came out stronger in the second half and capitalised on Cutters’ mistakes to post three tries to Cutters two.
A low point for Hay was when Waratahs scored with five minutes to go, and had the game at a draw.
The wisdom of Sam O’Learey who spoke to the team under the post in this desperate moment, calmly urged the boys to regain the ball off the kick-off and work for the next five minutes.
The words hit the target and everyone knew what was required when all seemed lost.
From the kick-off Harry Agar put the ball deep and the ball was turned over.
Pick and driving saw the forwards edge towards the Waratahs line, working down the clock to full time.
A penalty was awarded to Cutters and a kick for goal was chosen to be taken by skipper Graham.
Harry Agar stepped up to take the moment and cool and calmly slotted the goal to send Cutters to the grand final 27-24.
Cutters will return to Wagga next week to play their foe, Wagga City in the grand final, as they look for a fairytale finish to the season to best the minor premiers and 3-0 season victors.
Final score: Hay Cutters defeated Wagga Waratahs 27-24 (Tries: William Marshal, Oliver Cameron, Anthony Toscan, Andrew Garvey. Conversions Harry Agar 3/5)

Magpies lock in home ground final

Hay Magpies’ first grade defeat over Leeton Greens in their final game of the regular season, has set the Club to host a final at Hay Park on September 6.
For the first time since entering the Group 20 competition, all senior Magpies grades will contest finals, with league tag, reserve grade, first grade and the women’s tackle team all finishing at the top end of their competition ladders.
“It was a really good win against third-placed Leeton,” first grade coach Chris Stewart said.
“A lot of effort play, which is what we build our game off.”
The first-grade game kicked off with an opening period of shared possession between the two sides, until a well-placed kick by Ben Taylor gave Hay six more tackles. Taking advantage of the repeat set, Brad Pocock scored the first of his two tries for the day.
Leeton hit back with their own try before invoking a penalty for a dangerous tackle on Simon Parr. Speedy winger Anare Rokosusu crossed, as Parr and Jerry Balenawi led from the front in attack.
Ben Arandt cleverly targeted off-side Leeton players with his ball carries, which resulted in good progression down the field for Hay.
Despite the forward momentum, Leeton scored next from a heaven-sent bomb, and the two teams went into the half-time break locked at 12 points all.
“We spoke about putting 20 minutes of good footy together at half-time,” Stewart said. “We knew we were on top, but with too many errors, we kept giving them chances.”
Once again, the game ground out evenly for the first ten minutes of the half, with neither side giving an inch in the physical match up.
A 40/20 kick by Taylor broke the deadlock, and Arandt used the field position to crash across the try line.
Zane Gash and Shaun Aylett were outstanding, and Hay peppered the Leeton line, until a period of frantic ball movement across the line saw Pocock score again.
The home ground crowd was on their feet, as Will Barnes and Arandt combined from the very next kick-off, as Jock Crighton finished the play-off with a try.
With 13 minutes on the clock Leeton scored, but Hay set their sights on the win, and bent their backs to deny any further points.
As the siren sounded, the ten-point win was a fitting end to Harley Hey’s 200th game, with celebrations shared with another 200-game player, Patty Miller.
Final score: Hay 28 (Tries: Brad Pocock 2, Anare Rokosusu, Ben Arandt, Jock Crighton. Goals: Ben Taylor 4) defeated Leeton 18.
Awards: Player’s player Jock Crighton. Coaches Shaun Aylett.
The Lund brothers Dylan and Jacob starred in the reserve grade win over the visitors.
The Leeton side featured two former Hay Magpies Juniors Tom Dowse and Noah Hey. Hey was punishing in both defence and attack, while Dowse is proving to be one of Leeton’s most promising players.
Not yet 18 and yet the under 18s competition’s leading point scorer, Dowse scored a try in the reserve grade match, and was instrumental in another try and booted two conversions.
Hey also backed up and played the first-grade match, pitting him against his older brother, which had fans from both clubs cheering.
Leeton scored first to put Hay on notice, but an intercept by Billy Fixter turned the game around, which resulted in Thomas Lee crossing the line.
Soon after, Jacob Lund’s ferocious efforts were rewarded with a try, before a massive 60 metre break through the Leeton line by Ryan Gash, saw Lund score his second.
Dowse’s try just before half-time saw Hay go into the break with an eight-point lead.
After the restart the Magpies piled on the pressure in a display of rock-hard play from every team member.
Dylan Lund’s attack allowed Luke James to muscle across the line. Coach Zac O’Neill was unlucky not to score next, when the goal post halted his progression.
Hay’s final try was scored by Patty Miller on the back of good work in attack by Fixter.
Leeton scored the final try of the match, but were not able to string together enough, and conceded the game by ten-points.
“Obviously the two Lund boys were good,” coach Zac O’Neill said.
“But it’s really hard to pick the standouts. It was such a good team effort.
“We trained to get to the kicks and in the first half we got ten of them, and we did well.”
The side still has Lloyd Schulz, James McLean and Jermaine Dixon to welcome back to the side, in the finals push.
Final score: Hay 30 (Tries: Jacob Lund 2, Thomas Lee, Luke James, Patty Miller. Goals: Ryan Gash 5) defeated Leeton Greens 20.
Awards: Player’s player Dylan Lund. Coaches Jacob Lund.
Leeton’s league tag side played a shut out over Hay, posting a convincing 36-point win.
Wendy Gonevulavula served as Hay’s last line of defence on many occasions and denied Leeton additional points, and was ably supported by Zoe McRae. When Hay had the ball Lani Houston and Larissa Sorensen were solid in attack, but the speed and skill on the well-honed Leeton team did not fail.
Hannah Stewart’s kicks in play were on-point, and her performance was rewarded with the peer voted player’s player award.
Final score: Hay 0 Leeton 36
Awards: Player’s player Hannah Stewart. Coaches Wendy Gonevulavula.
Hay Magpies have drawn the final week bye, meaning they will sit out the round 18 games.
In the first week of the finals on the weekend of September 6 and 7, first grade and league tag will play on Saturday in Hay, with reserves and the women’s tackle side to play on Sunday, at a venue to be announced.
“I really hope the town gets behind us, and we get a huge crowd at the finals,” Stewart said.

Hay Lions B Reserve and under 14s book their grand final spots

A Grade (by Ellen Parr)
Murrabit 46 defeated Hay 43
Hay took on undefeated ladder leaders Murrabit in the A Grade semi-final.
For the first time in weeks, Hay were able to field their full line-up, though it took some time to settle back into rhythm.
A competitive start was hampered by a few costly errors, allowing Murrabit to edge ahead and hold a four-goal lead at quarter time.
By half-time, Hay had slipped further behind, trailing by seven. Determined not to let the game slip away, Hay lifted in the third quarter and matched Murrabit goal-for-goal.
The final term saw Hay at their best, outscoring their opponents and cutting the margin back to just three. Despite the late surge, the final whistle sounded with Murrabit holding on for a 46–43 win.
Defender Ruby Hicks was outstanding, consistently taking intercepts, forcing deflections and generating crucial turnovers for her team. Hay now face Moulamein in next weekend’s elimination final, with everything on the line for a spot in the grand final.
B Grade (by Bron Hicks)
Murrabit 52 defeated Hay 42
The B grade team suffered an unfortunate loss against a well drilled Murrabit side, despite their best efforts.
The Hay team kept the pressure up to the Murrabit girls, playing goal for goal. Hay’s key defenders Teagan, Rhiannon and Lani worked tirelessly, making it hard for Murrabit to gain too much of a lead, with the score at quarter time being Murrabit 15 - Hay 12.
Murrabit settled into their rhythm in the second quarter, however mid court players Poppy, Jade and Emily put continuous pressure on their opponents, making them work for every goal.
Murrabit gained a six goal lead at half time. By third quarter, the Hay girls spirit never faltered, and they continued working hard. Shooters, Lisa and Sienna worked extremely hard in the ring with the assistance of Bron feeding the ball into them.
As the weather warmed up, a speedy Maddie was called onto the court with fresh legs to try and pressure Murrabit more. However, they were able to gain a 10 goal lead by three quarter time.
In the last quarter, the Hay girls gave it everything. Their positivity to hype one another up and their eagerness for the ball was evident. Hay’s determination saw them match Murrabit in the last quarter, denying them the chance to extend the margin any further.
Hay will complete against Moulamein this weekend in the preliminary final.
B Reserve Grade (by Leonnie Laracy)
Hay 32 defeated Ultima 28
In an intense game against Ultima, Hay B Reserve had to draw on past finals experience to come away with the victory, winning 32-28.
Hay got off to a cracking start, until Ultima reined it in to just one goal at first break.
Ultima took their momentum into the second quarter and found themselves up by four at half time.
Hay set about improving their mid court connections and entries into the circle and focused on regaining the lead - one intercept at a time.
But Ultima wasn’t giving up, the smell of victory was closer than ever before, but Hay’s commitment to another flag stood strong and their final quarter defensive effort proved too good once again. Hay B Reserve now progress to the Grand Final.
C Grade (by Leonnie Laracy)
Ultima 38 defeated Hay 34
Hay C Grade came up against a very determined Ultima on Saturday.
Ultima played a more disciplined and accurate game which proved to be the product of their success.
Although Hay were two goals up going into the last quarter, they couldn’t find the flow and rhythm they are usually accustomed to, and ultimately suffered a four goal loss.
C grade will now play in Wandella and will need to win to partake in the Grand Final the following week.
Under 17s (by Jade Auldist)
Murrabit 47 defeated Hay 40
The 17s, who finished the season second on the ladder, faced ladder leaders Murrabit in Saturday’s semi-final.
The girls came out with great intensity, strength, and skill, taking a two-goal lead at quarter time.
As the game went on, the Murrabit side gradually chipped away and finished with a seven-goal win.
The girls now get another chance next weekend in Wandella, with hopes of meeting Murrabit again in the grand final.
Emily Caughey was voted player’s player by her teammates for her outstanding performance in Wing Defence. She put on high-pressure defence, pulling in multiple intercepts, driving the ball strongly out of the defensive end, offering great support, and leading the team with her captaincy
Under 14s (by Lani Houston)
Hay 27 defeated Murrabit 23
The Hay girls knew their match against Murrabit would be tough, and it was.
Hay started strongly and obtained a five goal lead at the first quarter.
Some great movement and passing in the circle enabled Rachael Taylor and Angel Clarke to shoot accurately. Both girls also rebounded well.
The warmer weather certainly impacted the girls and Murrabit fought back with Hay only leading by one goal at the final break.
Some impressive intercepts by Maggie Shields (Umpires Best On) and great support work through the mid court enabled Hay to convert winning 27-23.
The U14s will now go straight into the Grand Final. The win was a fantastic team effort with all girls contributing and a number playing some of their best netball.