First senior league tag try for Karly Fisher

Karly Fisher scored her first senior try in the clash against Griffith Black & Whites. Photograph: Krista Schade / The Riverine Grazier.

It was a challenging trip to Solar Mad Stadium in Griffith for Hay Magpies who met Griffith Black and Whites on Sunday. Despite two losses in the round six clashes, a highlight of the day was the late-in-the-game try by talented rookie Karly Fisher.

Fisher posted Hay’s only try in the league tag match, when she posted a length of the field try, beating all the Griffith players in the 90-metre race to the line. A talented junior representative player, Fisher has confidently stepped into the senior’s game without hesitation.

The conversion goal was booted by another of the team’s youngsters Sophie Curtis.

Fisher, Curtis and Larissa Sorensen are all yet to reach adulthood, but handled the pressure of the high-intensity match against the experienced and at times ruthless opposition with maturity.

Co-Coach Luci Lugsdin was pleased with the improved performance, despite the loss.

“Our defence was on point,” she said after the game. “We showed huge improvement.”

Fellow coach and player’s player award winner Jessie Carter echoed Lugsdin’s sentiments.

“I was really happy with the team’s efforts. Although we didn’t get the win, we have shown massive improvement from past games and will only continue to get better.”

Defensively Kayla Barrett and Cheyenne Hurst proved invaluable, whilst Fisher, Lugsdin and Carter led the attack. Once again, the boot of Hannah Stewart provided Hay with vital metres up the field and is proving difficult for opponents to manage. Kass Downie was a standout and has been one of Hay Magpies best players for the season so far, across both grades.

The Black & White’s experience and the ability of their senior players to read the game proved the difference; three intercepts from the home side led to run away tries that Hay could not contain, despite valiant defensive efforts.

Final score: Hay 6 (try Kary Fisher, goal Sophie Curtis) Griffith 26

In the first grade match the relentless attack of the Griffith side meant Hay Magpies were tested early and to their credit the defensive line held off what could have been an onslaught.

A penalty to Hay seconds before half-time gave the Magpies two points to take into the break trailing 12 to 2, however they were without the services of Jock Crighton after the restart. Crighton was sin-binned for an unknown infringement, leaving the Magpies a man down in the face of persistent attack.

Also absent was Hugh Crighton, due to injury, which was a blow to the Hay line-up. The youngest Crighton brother has been outstanding in recent games and it is unknown how long he will be out.

A well-placed kick by Ben Taylor was regathered by Toby Whitehead who passed onto Sociceni Verenalewa. The speedy winger streaked across the line to post the Magpies sole try.

Hay was best served by the senior member of the Hay side – Taylor, Whitehead, Simon Parr and James McLean.

“We showed effort on effort this week,” Taylor said. “It was a credit to the team to keep our scramble defence in the middle and keep charging forward. Sociceni is definitely coming out of his shell and had another nice performance. Our team leader Tuck McLean has been leading the pack with good old hard work that shows a lot about his character and work ethic.

“Improvement is with us and we will get the Black & Whites next time at home.”

Final score: Hay 6 (Try Sociceni Verenalewa, penalty goal Ben Taylor) Griffith 34

Group 20 will enjoy a general bye on the June long weekend, before Hay meets the Blueheelers in Yenda on June 18.