The Yass Magpies played their third home game of the year against the ADFA Knights Red on Saturday. This ADFA side was the winner of the Nines competition that took place at the start of the year but Yass proved too strong, winning the game 28-0.
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The hosts were ready for a tough game and the match was a see-sawing affair for the first ten minutes until Josh Doak received a good ball close to the line and crashed over for the Magpies’ first try.
The Yass troops had their heads up after that and with confidence high, the Magpies defence was on song. They denied ADFA points on a number of occasions and once the Black and Whites got the ball back in good territory they struck again. Doak was the man once more and after receiving a good ball from Shaun Davis 20 metres out, he put a big left-foot step on the fullback and managed to find the white stripe.
Matt Freeman was deadly with his place-kicking and nailed both conversions in the first half. The hosts went into the break with the ascendancy, leading 12-0.
Captain-coach Brad Wylie’s message at half-time was a simple but effective one- “Don’t change a thing and keep the talk up”.
The locals took the advice well and while ADFA put a lot of pressure on early in the second, once Yass had a chance with the pill they dominated possession and field position.
The next points came courtesy of an impressive piece of teamwork. Shea Carney went to the line and laid on a good pass to Freeman who managed a half break before popping a miracle ball to the ever-reliable Ant Broers. Broers showed far too much toe and got the ball down in the corner.
Yass continued to make easy metres after that, but Wylie admitted their attack didn’t look as crisp as it could have been.
After three repeat sets, Adam Waters - a five eighth stuck in a props body - put a cross field kick up for Luke Watt on the right wing. Watt soared high and grabbed the ball and put it down. Freeman again added the extras.
ADFA finally got back down to Yass’ line but great defence stopped them from scoring once again.
With two minutes to go Yass was attacking from 40 metres out and again Doak received another good ball from Davis, which saw him run around under the post for a hat-trick of tries. Freeman obliged and Yass finished 28-0 winners.
Captain-coach Brad Wylie was satisfied with the performance.
“It was a great team effort and close to our best game all year,” he said.
“Hopefully the form keeps up after we have the bye this weekend.”
The Girlpies also enjoyed a big win at the weekend, destroying the ADFA girls 58-0. It was a good win for the league tag side who continue to improve and grow as a unit.
Captain Renae Sparnon led from the front and scored five times, which included an 80-metre effort where she utilized her pace effectively.
Lucy Prosser also performed well and crossed twice, with Steph Mihaljevic, Drew MacArthur and Amy Senior all scoring.
The girls will this weekend face the dominant Harden Hawkettes and while they’ve been training hard, it’s a tough ask against a side that beat them 40-0 last time they met.
Saturday’s victories marked the first time in 2015 that both the Magpies and Girlpies won on the one weekend.
Yass Magpies 28 tries; Josh Doak (3), Ant Broers and Luke Watt, goals;Matt Feeman (4) defeated ADFA Knights Red 0.
Yass Girlpies 58 tries: Renae Sparnon (5) Lucy Prosser (2), Steph Mihaljevic, Drew MacArthur and Amy Senior, goals; Steph Mihaljevic (4), Amber Carney (3).
