Cutters leave Reddies red-faced
Cutters lifted their performance this week against the Wagga Wagga CSU Reddies team.
The return of Hugo Fraser, Andrew Garvey, and Charlie Harris, bolstered the reserve’s bench.
Cutters started well, moving up in defence and putting sustained pressure on the opposition.
The Reddies were a little rattled at the start with several dropped balls.
The first try by the Cutters, in the first 5 minutes of the game, was from a loose carry by the opposition which saw Charlie Harris toe the ball to the line and win the race to ground the ball. Harry Agar converted the try to lead 7 – 0.
Reddies found more structure in their play, and started to run the ball well at Hay.
Cutters Will Booth, James Lott, Sailasa Madurai, and Jack Lawrence matched it well up front.
The second try to Hay was impressive with nice ball work to the winger Ollie Cameron to score his first try for the Cutters. With another successful conversion by Agar, Hay led 14 – 0. Contested scrums created a much better platform for the game. Paddy Grant, Ben Ryan, Rory Walsh, and Tom Lilburne all played well in the front row.
This week the Cutters were much better at the breakdown supporting the ball runners, staying on their feet and maintaining possession, with the next try coming from Will Marshall brought on by a great team effort.
Agar converted to take the score to 21-0 at half time.
The Cutters defended well, restricting the Reddies from scoring by holding them up over line. Will Booth, who was having a great game, unfortunately, received a yellow card for lifting in the tackle just before half time.
The second half was a more even contest with a huge penalty count against the Cutters putting more pressure on their defence.
Reddies crossed the line twice but could not convert. An unfortunate incident led to a red card for a Hay player early in the second half which reduced the team to 14 players for the rest of the game. The Cutters started to move the ball wider which coach Matt Ireson said at the half time break was where the opportunities would come. Captain Will Nadin, James Harrison, and James Graham successfully moved the ball out wide. A ball to winger Peter Nadin, who surprised the opposition with his pace, getting to the line untouched. The last try to Harry Agar was from a quick ball via the backs. Agar again didn’t miss a goal all day with the final score of 35-10. Points were awarded to 3 Will Marshall, 2 Ben Ryan, 1 Ollie Cameron, and Players Player Harry Agar. Next week the Cutters come up against Wagga Waratahs at Conolly Rugby Park at 12.55pm.
Charlie Harris pushing against the competition relentlessly to keep the ball. Photos by Margie McClelland.
