Cutters win grand final

Hay Cutters 2023 SIRU premiership team. Image supplied.

One-point win over Wagga City clinches premiership

By Tom Lilburne

Cutters travelled across to Wagga Wagga last Friday night in preparation for a 11am Saturday tee off at Conley Oval, which hosted the Southern Inland Rugby Union finals over the weekend.

Hay was the first team of the day to play, facing up against Wagga City for the fourth time this season - previous match-ups had resulted in two wins and one loss.

The Cutters were well rested after their week off last week, which was utilised for some final training, after the team travelled up to three hours to be present on Thursday night.

A dominant first half was seen from Hay as Will Nadin first to cross the line in the opening two minutes of the game.

Forwards established a great balance, as captain Mel Graham guided the team around the field and spread the workload between forwards and backs in attack.

Hay’s fitness started to shine through as they wore down Wagga’s bigger forwards with great defensive technique, going low, which was emphasised by coach Ed Lilburne and executed by Ben Ryan.

Heading into the second half Cutters lead two tries to one.

With encouraging words from coaches Matt ‘Yabby’ Ireson, and Ed Lilburne, the team were confident thay had what it took to bring home the win.

With a few interchanges early in the second half, Cutters continued the momentum as City returned fire bringing on fresh legs which invigorated the home side.

Andrew Garvy continued his brilliance in the second half as he crossed for the third time, bagging a hat trick on what would be the final game of his career. Streaming back from junior footy in under 4’s in New Zealand, it was a great finish to a great career and team player for the Cutters in the last three years

With great wisdom from the leadership in the tail end of the match saw what seemed to be a conservative penalty goal taken which Agar slotted, a total of three out of five for the day from Agar.

These conversions paid off later in the game as City surged in the last five minutes, closing the gap by a point with a try in the final minutes.

When the whistle blew for the final time of the match, Cutters emerged the victors 27-26 and ended a 12-year flag drought, winning Southern Inland Rugby Union’s McMullen Cup.

Skipper Mel Graham, who had a cracking game as half back, was awarded best on ground.

It was a huge effort from all on the field as Oli Cameron landed some huge hits from the wing on some of City’s big forwards.

Charlie Dinning made good use of the ball off the back of the ruck, and Will Brown’s IQ around the forwards and great use of the pick and drive.

Harry Agar who, with Will Nadin, held in line well, not allowing any of the City’s backs through.

The flag reflects a huge effort amongst players and coaches which was set in motion three years ago when Yabby Ireson took on coaching.

This led to a minor premiership in second grade 2021, but with finals being cut short by COVID the Cutters were not succesful.

An unfortunate knock out in finals last year from a barrage of injuries towards the end of the season denied the flag in 2022 as well.

Together Yabby and Ed have slowly but surely chipped out a great side.

Sights have now been set on the 2024 season, with hopes of returning to second grade and welcoming new players to join the club.

Thank you to the locals that cheered on from the sidelines.