The Magpies and Girlpies headed to a cold, wet and windy Crookwell on the weekend to take on the Green Devils and She Devils.
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Playing conditions were horrific, with the oval resembling a mud bowl and strong winds and rain playing constant havoc. The Magpies were looking for redemption, after losing their last encounter to Crookwell 38-32.
Yass kicked off and forced an early error which put them in prime attacking position. The boys then forced a number of repeat sets before Dave Rimoni spotted a gap in Crookwell’s tiring defence and crashed over. Shaun Davis converted, to take it to 6-0.
The Green Devils found it hard to get any football in their own half, with Yass dominating the first ten minutes. However, the finishing touches weren't good enough for Yass to get over the line straight away, with numerous forward passes and dropped balls.
Magpies five-eighth Scott Waters took matters into his hands soon after and busted through the defence to gain good metres. Two plays later, he laid on a perfect pass for birthday-boy Jay Waters, who crashed over next to this sticks for his first try of the year. Davis made it two from two.
Despite receiving a number of penalties Crookwell failed to cross the Yass line.
And, when Yass got ball back down in the Green Devils' half, hooker Jai Smith broke through the defence and crossed under the posts. Shaun Davis had another easy shot at goal and he converted. It stayed that way until halftime, with Yass leading 18-0.
The rain continued to come down in the second half and Yass seemed to be handling it much better than the hosts. Shaun Davis was on the receiving end of a good ball from halfback Matt Lawrence and he crashed over for his own four-pointer.
The game then became a see-sawing affair, with Crookwell crossing next after a number a penalties on the Yass line. The extras were added taking the score to 22-6.
Both Jai Smith (late hit) and Alex Waters (should charge) were sin-binned but this didn't see Yass slump into a hole. The penalty count was against the visitors as well, with Yass losing that battle 20-3.
The score finished at 22-6, with Dave Rimoni, Scott Waters and Matt Lawrence standing out for the Magpies. Yass still has a chance of making top two, and face ADFA Blue at home tomorrow.
In the curtain-raiser, the Yass Girlpies managed to claim a hard-fought 10-8 win over the She Devils.
The two teams had much to prove considering their only previous meeting this year finished in a memorable 14-14 draw.
In awful conditions, the Yass Girlpies again showed that they're a force to be reckoned with in this 2015 season.
Through great ball security and strong defence, all the momentum was on the Girlpies’ side. After great patience, the Crookwell defensive line crumbled and Casey Edwards crossed for a beautiful solo try. Steph Mihaljevic slotted the kick and the girls went to halftime leading 6-0.
With worsening conditions in the second half, Crookwell hit their straps and crossed for two quick unconverted tries on the outskirts of the Girlpies’ defensive line.
The girls stayed level headed and knew that sticking to their game plan was the only way to get the lead back.
After a strong attacking raid by the team, Amber Carney caught the Crookwell defence napping and crossed the line in a marvellous short side play. The try stayed unconverted but it didn’t matter, with Yass eventually claiming the 10-8 win.
This clash against Crookwell was the best game the girls have played all year, which is a massive confidence boost considering finals footy is only around the corner.
(Yass Magpies 22 tries; S Davis, J Waters, D Rimoni, J Smith, goals; S Davis (3) defeated Crookwell 6)