Tallon Smith
The Griffith Waratah Tigers have won their fourth straight game to start the season after a narrow 18-16 win over the Leeton Greenies at the Exies Oval on Sunday.
Both sides scored three tries each in the nail biting affair, but in the end it was the goalkicking of Ulu Akolo which proved the difference, with the Waratahs winger nailing three from three conversions, while Leeton’s James Tafiti finished with two from three.
Griffith Waratah Tigers co-coach Brett Goldspink said that while it was the scrappiest of the Waratahs’ games so far this season, the team still performed well enough to get the win.
“We were just coughed up [the ball], on tackle two and three for probably four or five sets in a row,” he said.
“They [Leeton] just kept coming, they were a well drilled side, I was pleased to have some quality opposition, and probably a bit of that was caused by them, to be honest, it wasn’t all our own fault, they got into our faces, so it was great.”
Goldspink said that it was resilience and clever use of their interchanges that saw the Tigers overcome a half time deficit to win the match against one of the surprise packets of the competition.
“We only used two replacements in the first half, I just wanted to make sure we came home strong,” he said.
“The boys, they put themselves in that situation, so they just [had] to get themselves out of it.
“And then pretty much, [we] came out in the second half, [and] probably for the first 15 minutes, we just played like how we knew we could.
“They [the Waratahs team] put on 12 points in three sets of six.”
“[It was] 18-10 with about five minutes to go, then [they] scored, and it was like, ‘oh here we go’, but we held on.”
Goldspink was also full of praise for his side’s opponents, even going as far to make a complimentary comparison.
“I think between the two sides today, it just reminded me of a Group 9 game,” he said.
“It was at that standard, not trying to be insulting Group 20, but it was Group 9 [level], even though there was a lot of dropped ball.”
The Waratah Tigers now sit a game clear atop the table after four rounds.
GAME CALLED OFF
Players and fans across Group 20 have been left shocked after the match of the round in the first grade competition between Hay and Yenda at the Hay Park Oval was abandoned with 17 minutes to play.
After Hay scored a try to trail Yenda 22-20 with a kick to come, the match officials decided to call the game due to referee abuse from spectators.
Yenda raced out to a 22-0 lead in the opening half hour of the match, before the Magpies scored before the break to get on the board.
The Magpies then continued their comeback after the break, scoring three tries to close within two points before the match was called off, leaving players from the home side distraught and frustrated as two points went by the wayside.
The level and nature of the referee abuse is unclear, but a spectator was removed from the Reserve Grade game prior.
The Hay RLFC released the following statement to Battlers For Bush Footy and the Spectator on Sunday evening:
“The Hay Magpies do not condone any abuse or poor behaviour by fans towards match officials.
“We are disappointed in the actions today as our First Grade squad were making a clear second half comeback with 17 minutes remaining before the match was abandoned by the match officials.
“We seek to identify all parties involved and [they] will be dealt with accordingly.”
Yenda was awarded the two points as the leaders of a match called off after half time.
The Hay club are now exploring their options in relation to the result of the match.
Battlers For Bush Footy approached Group 20 for comment, but received no response.
LAKES WIN THRILLER OVER BLACK AND WHITES
The Tullibigeal-Lakes United Sharks have proven that they are a different beast at home, downing the Griffith Black and Whites 26-20 at the Lake Cargelligo Recreation Ground.
Both sides scored four tries apiece, but it was the kicking of the Sharks’ star man Jaden Kelly that proved the difference, with four conversions from four attempts and a penalty goal to go with a customary try getting the TLU side over the line.
The win is the Sharks’ first for the year, and elevates them above their opponents on the competition table.
DOUBLE FORFEIT
The West Wyalong Mallee Men picked up an unwanted piece of history by forfeiting both men’s games to DPC scheduled for Darlington Point on Sunday.
It is the first time since 1996 that the proud, 114-year old club has forfeited both grades, with injuries playing a major part in the decision.
The Mallee Men did forfeit the same fixture in Reserve Grade last season at Coleambally, and have forfeited all three games in the seconds competition this year.
However, when contacted by Battlers For Bush Footy, West Wyalong President Matt Goodwin said he is confident that the club will source enough players to form a side at home against Yanco-Wamoon this coming weekend.
BRIGHT SPOT
Shout out to the clients from Griffith Post School Options, who played an all-abilities touch football game prior to the Waratahs v Leeton game.
An extra shout out goes to this columnist’s cousin and Exies Eagles Cricket Club stalwart, Rodney “Rocket” Bordin, who played in the match.
Well done to the club’s current committee on hosting the event, and to those who helped organise the match beginning last year.
Griffith Waratahs Storm defeated Griffith Waratahs Raiders 16-8 in the match.
Battlers For Bush Footy 