Cover Photo: Billy Dickinson

Tallon Smith

The Leeton Galloping Greens bounced back from their last start derby loss to Yanco-Wamoon with a dominant 52-4 victory over the Hay Magpies at the Leeton No.1 Oval on Sunday.

Centre Jesse Watson starred for the home side with four tries as the Greenies secured their third win of the season and moved back to a positive record at 3-2, whilst handing Hay a sixth straight loss to begin its campaign.

Five-eighth Corey Graham opened the scoring for Leeton seven minutes in, before the Magpies failed to find touch off a penalty five minutes later, with some heads up play from fullback Billy Dickinson in keeping the ball in leading to Watson’s first four-pointer later in the set.

That 10-0 advantage remained for another 12 minutes when Watson doubled up, before new signing Mason Payne got in on the try scoring action to extend the lead to 20-0, which it would remain at half time.

The Magpies hit back in the opening five minutes of the second half through Anare Rokosusu, but it was to be the only points they scored, with the Greenies’ dominance resuming shortly after as the home side raced in six second half tries to secure a 48-point win.

Following the 14-10 defeat to Yanco in their last start, Leeton coach Dickinson said he was happy with his side’s performance, with improved handling being the most pleasing aspect.

“It was good to get back to some good footy for us, I think we made too many errors against Yanco, so it was a good day today to learn from that and build on that a bit,” he said.

“We played pretty good for 80 minutes, so I’m happy with that.”

Without a doubt, the star on the attacking end for the Greenies was centre Jesse Watson, with his two tries in each half highlighting a strong performance in his new position.

When asked about Watson’s move inside from the wing, Dickinson said that it has been a success so far, with the talented outside back showing he is right at home in the number 4 jumper.

“Jesse has moved into left centre at the moment, that came about in the last few weeks with injuries and I think he is making that position his own now,” Dickinson said.

“[I’m] really impressed with Jesse and how he is going about it, and today was another good effort from him, he took them on and played his natural game.”

After an up and down start to the season with two wins and two losses heading into Sunday’s game, the Greenies put in by far their most powerful display to right the wrongs of the previous week.

Despite having suffered narrow losses to the two unbeaten teams in Griffith Waratahs and Yanco, Dickinson said he is pleased with the way Leeton has started its season given the tough draw the side had early.

“I think our first four games were pretty heavy loaded with the big teams in the comp this year, so I’m pretty happy with the start,” he said.

“Our losses have only been by four and two points so we’re pretty happy with that.

“It could easily be 5-0, a couple of results went the other way, but we’ll keep building on that.”

Mallee Men win nailbiter over Black and Whites, Waratahs pip Lakes

West Wyalong picked up its third straight victory with a 22-18 victory over the Griffith Black and Whites in a heartstopping clash at Ron Crowe Oval.

Logan Collins continued his strong form following his move to centre with a crucial double, taking his season try tally to five and helping to secure a crucial two competition points for the Mallee Men. 

Meanwhile, Yanco-Wamoon celebrated club legend Billy Ingram’s 150th game in style with a 64-18 victory over Darlington Point-Coleambally at the Darlington Point Sportsground on Saturday.

Hawks centre John Wharepapa-Rawiri crossed for four tries to take his season total to 10 and extend his lead atop the tryscoring standings to three, as the Hawks moved to 5-0 through the opening six weeks of the competition.

Finally, a late Ulu Akolo penalty saw the Griffith Waratah Tigers escape with a 28-26 victory over the Tullibigeal-Lakes United Sharks at the Exies Oval.

Akolo proved the hero for the home side, scoring a double and kicking four goals as Waratahs saw off a spirited challenge from the Sharks to remain unbeaten after six rounds.