Group 20 Wrap: Back-to-back wins for Hay

By Tallon Smith

The Hay Magpies have secured back-to-back wins for the first time since rounds 12 and 13 last season courtesy of a 36-20 victory over the Yanco-Wamoon Hawks at the Hay Park Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The victory over the Hawks comes off the back of a shock 42-6 thrashing of Yenda at Wade Park last weekend, with the victories elevating the lowly Magpies into the top 5 for the first time this season.

Hay Magpies Director of Coaching Neil-John Nisbet says the last two weeks have “been fantastic” for the club.

“It’s normally a long time between victories,” he said.

“[To win] two on the trot, everybody’s bouncing.”

Hay’s Lloyd Schulz charges at the Yanco defence (supplied: Krista Schade – *The Riverine Grazier*)

Nisbet said that the Magpies have developed a somewhat friendly rivalry with the Hawks, mostly arising from their shared struggles over recent years and a few close contests between the clubs.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Pat Hart and the effort he puts into his club,” he said of the 42-year veteran President of the Yanco side.

“It’s a pretty friendly sort of rivalry.”

Lloyd Schulz looks to pass to a teammate on his outside (supplied: Krista Schade – *The Riverine Grazier*)

The Yenda victory also stood out for Nisbet, with the circumstances surrounding the win adding to the elation.

“I’ve been around our club for a long while, and I class that as our best ever win in Group 20,” he said.

“Not because of the scoreline, but because of the circumstances.

“We were nearly going to forfeit on Tuesday.

“We even approached Terry McFarlane of Yenda to see if he knew any players.”

The Magpies’ next assignment is Lake Cargelligo next weekend, whilst Yanco will face the dark horse of the competition, West Wyalong.

Hay’s Jack Bolger and Orisi Rokobati get a Yanco attacker in an awkward position in the process of making a strong tackle (supplied: Krista Schade – *The Riverine Grazier*)

Leeton, DPC and Black and Whites victorious in Round 8 action

The Leeton Greenies have continued their remarkable start to their premiership defence by keeping their undefeated record intact with a 42-30 win over the West Wyalong Mallee Men. A game clear at the top of the ladder and twelve points ahead of sixth, the Greenies have already all but qualified for the finals and are red-hot favourites to take out the Minor Premiership and host the Major Semi Final at the No.1 Oval.

Meanwhile, the Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters defeated an understrength Yenda Blueheelers side 42-6 in a one-sided affair at Wade Park in Yenda to maintain pace with Leeton and the Griffith Black and Whites.

The Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo’s First Grade side, many of whom backed up from their 28-16 Reserve Grade win, were absolutely destroyed by the Griffith Black and Whites 60 points to nil in First Grade. One must feel for the players, a lot of whom have played both grades at some point this season. Hopefully common sense prevails in 2024 and if the club is still in this situation, they are allowed to compete in either Reserve Grade or First Grade only.

Next weekend Hay face Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo, Leeton travel to face DPC at Coleambally and Yanco host West Wyalong.

Group 20 First Grade Round 8

Hay 36 defeated Yanco-Wamoon 20

DPC 42 defeated Yenda 6

Leeton 42 defeated West Wyalong 30

Griffith B&W 60 defeated TLU 0

Standings: Leeton 16 pts (undefeated), Griffith 14, DPC 11, West Wyalong 9, Hay 6, Yenda 4, Yanco 4, TLU 0.

Cover Photo: The Hay Magpies defence repels the charge of a Yanco attacker on Sunday (supplied: Krista Schade – The Riverine Grazier)