Cover Photo: Nicole Collins

Tallon Smith

It may have been a sight for weary eyes but it was a more than welcome one at Lake Cargelligo on Sunday as the Tullibigeal-Lakes United Sharks held top five opponents Yenda to nil in a 24-0 shutout.

On a big occasion for the community, the Sharks dominated the contest on the club’s joint Old Boys Day, Indigenous Round and Sponsors Day in front of a healthy home crowd despite the miserable conditions.

Sharks halfback Jaden Kelly said that the win was an enjoyable one for the side, which has endured its fair share of hardship over the past half a decade.

“It was really pleasing,” he said.

“I can’t remember the last time Lakes have kept a side to nil and especially a quality side like Yenda. 

“We just defended really well and we completed okay in stages.

“It was a very wet game which you know probably suited us, but in fairness Yenda had a fair few boys go down with injuries during the game, which depleted them a little bit.

“But we’ll take the win and it was definitely another confidence booster.” 

As for who starred for the Sharks on Sunday afternoon, Kelly was quick to praise four of his teammates for their efforts, in particular two big men up front.

“Warren Lloyd had a massive game in the front row playing 80 minutes, as did Dylan Hately in the front row,” he said.

“Cody Collins had another solid game and Sinelle Thorpe had a blinder at fullback. 

However, the Sharks dynamo said that the most pleasing aspect of the win overall was how every player stood up when called upon.

“We sort of spoke about at halftime and before the game that we don’t need one individual to do stuff, [we need to] just try and stick to our jobs and try and not have any passengers,” he said.

“Everyone dug in deep, there wasn’t a bad player on the field to be honest for us. 

“So yeah, it was very pleasing.”

The next challenge for the in-form Sharks is to make up the required ground on the sides above them in the race for an unlikely top five berth.

The win over Yenda does work in the Sharks favour, acting as a four point swing to TLU with the Blueheelers two points ahead of them in fifth on 14 points.

However, Kelly admits that there is a possibility that Lakes will run out of competition rounds with only four remaining.

“We’ve definitely left our run late, whether or not it’s too late, I’m not sure,” he said.

“All we can do is just try to win as many games as possible and hopefully a few results go our way. 

“If not, we just want to finish off the season strong and build for next year if it doesn’t work out that we make the five.”

Moving to other games, the Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters celebrated a hat-trick of milestones with a 50-26 home win over Leeton at the Darlington Point Sportsground.

Guy Thompson and Ben Jeffery each scored doubles in their big match, while fellow 150 game servant Josh Veivers also found himself on the scoresheet with five goals.

Coming off the big win over previously undefeated Waratahs, Jesse Watson and William Dickinson also scored doubles on the other side of the ledger for the Greenies, but it wasn’t to be enough as the Roosters secured a 24-point win.

Hay joined their Sturt Highway counterparts in the winners’ circle with a 24-10 win over the Griffith Black and Whites at the Hay Park Oval.

Rex Malanicagi was again the star of the show on the scoresheet, leading the Magpies’ charge with a double, while Toby Whitehead and Brad Pocock also found themselves amongst the try scorers. 

The win keeps the Magpies in touch with the top five on 12 points, equal with the Black and Whites and TLU in the race to catch Yenda in fifth.

Finally, West Wyalong again showed their toughness under pressure this season, but the Mallee Men ultimately fell to Yanco-Wamoon 22-8 at Yanco.

Braiden Jones again led from the front for West Wyalong, but it was the right centre-wing combo of Vilitati Vunibaka and Vilimoni Waqanidrola that did the damage for the Hawks, with both scoring a double.

There will be no football this coming weekend as the competition has a general bye for the Junee Junior Rugby League Knockout.