Tallon Smith
The Hay Magpies’ strong start to the 2025 season has continued with a dominant 50-14 victory over Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo at the Hay Park Oval Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies ran in 11 tries to two against the Sharks with centre Anari Malanicagi leading the way with a hat trick, while Crighton brothers Jock and Hugh each managed to cross the line, with the latter of the two getting a double.
Hay coach Chris Stewart said that it was pleasing to get a win at home, particularly after they let victory slip from their grasp in their first home game two weeks ago.
“It was good to get a win at home against TLU,” he said.
“We have had a really good crowd for our last two home games so it was good to make up for the loss against [Darlington] Point in round 1.”
Despite the big scoreline in the finish, Stewart said that the Sharks, playing with just 14 men, brought a tough challenge to the Magpies, who aren’t looking too far ahead despite stringing two wins together for the first time in years.
“TLU were down on numbers, but they turned up and gave it 100 percent, so we really needed to stick to our footy and grind it out,” he said.
“We are just taking it one game at a time, and next up is Yenda at home again, [so] we’ll be focusing on that.”
The massive scoreline could have been much greater if for better goal kicking, as the Magpies kicked just three from 11 in the win.
The Griffith Waratahs joined the Magpies as big winners in round three with a 66-14 demolition of West Wyalong at Ron Crowe Oval.
Winger Ulu Akolo scored three tries for the Waratahs to lead the way as they affirmed their status as the top team in the 2025 competition through three rounds.
Meanwhile, the Yanco-Wamoon Hawks shocked the Griffith Black and Whites with a strong 44-14 away victory at Solar Mad Stadium in Griffith.
The Hawks’ new look backline finally clicked in the third round of the competition, running in eight tries to three to demolish the Griffith side on their home turf.
Finally, the Yenda Blueheelers handed defending premiers DPC their second loss in as many weeks courtesy of an 30-28 upset victory at Wade Park.
Three time Ray Thorpe Medallist Guy Thompson scored four tries for the Roosters in the match, but it wasn’t enough as they fell to the home side, to remain with just one win for the first three rounds of the competition.
Meanwhile for Yenda, halfback Isaiah Buerckner led the scoring with a 14-point haul courtesy of a try and five goals in the victory.
Next weekend sees DPC host West Wyalong, Waratahs face Leeton, Hay at home to Yenda, and TLU tackle Black and Whites, with Yanco-Wamoon having the bye.
Battlers For Bush Footy 