Magpies fall to Greens in Group 20 Battle

By Tallon Smith

Hay Magpies might have challenged them all the way, but ultimately Leeton Greenies recorded a 48-18 victory in Group 20 First Grade at the Hay Park Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The win sees Leeton remain undefeated at the top of the Group 20 Ladder after four rounds and maintain their status as firm favourites to defend their title in 2023.

Leeton opened the match strongly with tries to Tyler O’Connell, Beniel Qereqeretabua and Daniel Fisher to create a 14-0 lead after 32 minutes of play.

Hay hit back not long after however through a try to Ratu Qiokata, to cut the margin to 14-6 heading into the break.

After the half time break was where Leeton stamped their authority through tries to Daniel Fisher and Beniel Qereqeretabua to complete their doubles as well as another try to Kirtis Fisher to open up a 32-6 lead over the shellshocked home side.

Another try to Leeton saw the margin extend to 38-6, before Hay finally clicked into gear and posted points via the first of two tries to Jack Miller.

Leeton’s damaging backline was not done yet however with Qereqeretabua and O’Connell linking up for another four pointer before Leeton scored once more through Todd Prest to get within two points of cracking the half-century.

Hay crossed for a consolation try not long from full time to leave the final scoreline at 48-18, with the Magpies losing no admirers in what was always going to be a tough task against Group 20’s top side.

Magpies Director of Coaching Neil-John Nisbet said he was happy with the effort of the club against the Group 20 heavyweight in a match where he “totally expected to get beat by 20 to 30 points.”

“I’m really happy with the effort of the boys, they tried their guts out,” he said.

“I rate Leeton as a football team and a club.”

Nisbet was exceptionally pleased with the effort of Magpies front-rower Simon Parr, who has played a full game in the forwards every week this season.

“Simon Parr he played prop and played 80 minutes,” he said.

“At 35 years of age, that’s a big effort.”

Nisbet expects the Magpies to improve over the course of the season after a difficult first month.

“We’ve had a few very hard decisions,” he said of a few contentious refereeing calls.

“I’m a realist though, we’ve gotta be better than that.”

In the League Tag contest, the Magpies suffered a 36-8 defeat to a strong Leeton outfit, with Hannah Stewart being the standout performer for the Magpies, crossing for two tries.

In his assessment of the game, Nisbet said that while the Hay side fought hard, the Leeton side were just a class above on the day.

“Leeton were just too fast and too skilful,” he said.

“The scoreline was pretty indicative of the difference between the two teams.”

In Round 5 action this weekend, Hay will host the Darlington Point-Coleambally club at the Hay Park Oval on Sunday, with League Tag kicking off at 12:15pm, followed by the First Grade clash at 2:35pm.