Hat trick for captains - Hay Magpies post a whitewash at Yanco

Hay Magpies captains Harley Hey and Luci Lugsdin each bagged a hat trick of tries against Yanco Wamoon Hawks on Sunday, and lead both grades to round three victories.

The league tag squad took a decisive 30 nil win over the Hawks, which should raise them to second or third on the ladder, with similar points and for and against percentages to Leeton. Top of the ladder TLU Sharks are undefeated, and enjoyed the bye this week, before they travel to Hay on Sunday, in what will be the Hay squad’s toughest challenge.

The game started all Hay’s way, with the Magpies dominating possession and in another outstanding performance Polly Lugsdin scored first, followed by Lily Weymouth, who wove across the line. Next to score was captain coach Luci Lugsdin, as the Yanco side started to falter under the pressure.

Ellie Darlow added to the tries tally with 30 seconds remaining in the first half, and converted her own try.

The 22 to nil half time score line reflected the Magpies relentless attack, which coach Lugsdin demanded Hay continue, when she spoke with players during the break.

“Get to the kick. Keep our line. Keep them at zero,” she instructed.

Central to the Hay successes was a defensive masterclass displayed by Cherokee Dixon, who tagged ruthlessly and blocked any thoughts of progression by the Hawks.

Season rookie Tahnee Wagstaff was also solid in defence, while the speed of Zoe McRae, Cheyenne Hurst and Yolanda Miller was instrumental in gaining metres in attack.

McRae crossed for Hay, while Wagstaff and Hurst were unlucky not to score, as both players muscled across the line twice each, but were tagged by desperate Hawks defenders.

Luci Lugsdin crossed again twice to produce the definitive result for Hay, in what was an almost flawless display; the handling errors which crept into the game in round two seem to have been ironed out in training last week.

This settled style of play will be vital when Hay meets ladder leaders TLU Sharks at home on Sunday.

Final score: Hay 38 (Tries – Luci Lugsdin (3), Polly Lugsdin, Lily Weymouth, Ellie Darlow, Zoe McRae. Goals – Ellie Darlow (4), Luci Lugsdin) defeated Yanco 0

Hay Magpies first grade played another injury filled match, having already lost Tim Lomai, Tom Schiller and Kynan Headon from the player roster. Early in the match Hay lost the services of Llyod Schulz early due to a knee injury, followed by Thomas Lee who required five internal and eight external stitches to a significant wound to his head.

Dylan Lund also required strapping to stem a bleeding chin, but returned to the field with renewed vigour and played one of his best defensive games in recent memory.

The Hay side was bolstered by the return of Noah Hey from two seasons with Darlington Point, as well as Zane Gash, and both played very well from the bench. Newcomer Malcom Kaitap entered the field without hesitancy and added depth to the injury ravaged side.

Without the services of the powerful Lomai, the Hay forwards stepped up a gear, following the lead of Simon Parr, and rookie Sailaas Madrai showed a lot of speed and enthusiasm in attack.

Half-back Jermaine Dixon directed play in the middle and kept the Magpies settled and was supported by co-coach Jamie Woods, who pulled on the number six jumper in Schiller’s absence. Yanco scored first, on the back of a Magpies penalty, but Hay recovered quickly and soon after Ben Taylor’s quick play saw him cross the line, as Schulz left the field to injury. He was soon followed by Lee, and neither took any further part in the game.

Harley Hey charged over to score next, before Jack Bolger deftly followed a Dixon chip kick to score. Bolger had another great game and looks very comfortable in the lock forward position; despite his relatively young age he has a mature style of play, and on Sunday he calmly stuck to the game plan.

Yanco scored again, but Hay went into the half-time break with a four-point lead.

The Magpies returned to play in the second half as a united squad. Orisi Rokobati carried the ball forward strongly and – as always – fullback Toby Whitehead kept the ball safe, regardless of the bombs put up by the Hawks.

Hay worked the ball towards the line with the team effort completed by Harley Hey, who leapt across the line to score.

Yanco took advantage of a lapse in concentration and scored a soft try as the mounting pressure in the game began to take its toll and some pushing and shoving entered the game. Both teams were desperate to post their first win of the season, but Hay handled the pressure better, as Yanco gave up back-to-back penalties.

Harley Hey scored his third try after solid lead up work by Gash and Noah Hey to bring the Magpies line forward. Harley Hey missed the conversion, and when Yanco scored again twice, they took the lead for the first time in the match.

The nervous energy from both team’s benches was palpable, and it was matched by sideline spectators.

Whitehead chased down a runaway Hawk to deny any further points, and Hay held on to keep their line defence. Whitehead and Taylor burst the ball forward, passing quickly between themselves to give Hay good field position. With a minute left in the game Dixon performed one of his trademark scoots from dummy half to score, and even the game at 28 all.

As the full-time siren sounded, players and fans alike held a collective breath until Harley Hey sent the ball sailing smoothy to convert and take the win by the narrowest of margins

Final score: Hay 30 (Tries – Harley Hey (3), Ben Taylor, Jack Bolger, Jermaine Dixon. Goals – Harley Hey (4) defeated Yanco 28.

In other Group 20 first grade matches Leeton defeated West Wyalong 54-0, Griffith Waratahs defeated Yenda 40-28 and DPC defeated Black & Whites 28-16.

Luci Lugsdin crossed for three tries in Sunday’s win over Yanco.