Tallon Smith
The Hay Magpies women’s teams emerged from Griffith a perfect two from two after defeating the Waratah Tigers in both the league tag and ladies’ tackle fixtures at the Exies Oval on Saturday.
Taking on a fellow finals contender in both competitions, the Magpies opened the day with a 22-4 win in the league tag clash before backing it up with a 32-22 victory in the full contact version.
In the tackle match, after the sides traded tries blow for blow in the opening half, a double to Wendy Gonevulavula and further tries to Larissa Sorenson and Hannah Stewart saw the Magpies take a 20-16 lead into the break.
Waratahs reclaimed the lead early in the second half through a try to Pati Matenga, only for Ellie Darlow and Gonevulavula to cross twice more for Hay to open up a 10-point lead, which the side maintained until full time.
Magpies co-coach Jessie Carter said a simple game plan in attack was key to securing the two competition points.
“I just told the girls that we needed to stick to our own game and keep it simple and keep working with the footy and that’s exactly what we did,” she said.
Fellow co-coach Neil-John Nisbet said it was pleasing to see the side show resilience when behind at multiple points of the match.
“[It] was great that they did show that resilience, because the last few games when we have lost, we have got behind and we have then got behind by big margins,” he said.
“It was very tight the whole game, and we were lucky to have Wendy I think scoring a couple of points for us, that’s for sure.”
“The girls showed a lot of grit.”
Earlier, the Magpies took out the league tag fixture with a comfortable 22-4 victory over the Tigers.
Karly Fisher starred with a try and three goals, while Wendy Gonevulavula picked up a double and Emma Curtis also got her name on the scoresheet with a four-pointer.
Carter was proud of the account the side gave of itself after falling to Waratahs earlier in the season at home.
“Last time we played Waratahs they had it over us, so it was good to come back and give them what we are actually capable of, because it definitely wasn’t our strongest game last time we played them,” she said.
“I thought Karly Fisher was good for us in attack, and some of the defensive efforts from our new girls [were great].
“We have got a few girls that have only started playing and they are doing amazing, like Hayley Sterchow [and] Marley Sorensen.”
The Magpies tackle team will enjoy a bye this weekend, while their league tag counterparts will face top side Leeton.
