Following two heavy defeats at the hands of the top of the ladder Queanbeyan Blues and fourth placed Queanbeyan Roos, the Magpies faced off against the Gungahlin Bulls, currently third on the ladder, at the weekend.
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The early exchanges were fairly even, however, with back-to-back sets the Bulls were first to score wide out when their winger pounced on a grubber kick in the corner for a 4-0 lead. Yass had good field position and a slick backline movement saw winger Trent Gavenlock over in the corner to level the scores at 4-4.
Play was swinging from end-to-end for a period with the Bulls seizing the advantage and crossing for their second try and an 8-4 lead. This sparked the Bulls into action and the Magpies were working hard to contain their opposition. From a penalty late in the tackle count, the Bulls pressed the Magpies line and scored under the posts for a 14-4 lead.
The Magpies, however, started to match the Bulls with enthusiasm and after some good lead-up work Scott Naughton scored to the left of the posts to reduce the score to 10-14. An error from the kick off saw the Bulls go on the attack and with a minute until half time, scored a converted try to go to the break 20-10.
Following a much needed break for half time, Yass was quick on the board in the second half with a try to James Rousell and the margin was now six at 14-20. The Magpies were really applying the pressure in defence and not allowing the Bulls any latitude.
Jai Smith latched onto a pass from a good backline movement to slice through the defence to score and Yass were within 2 points at 18-0. The Magpies were now full of running and Jai Smith again cut through the defence for a great try and with the conversion from Matt Barden Yass took the lead for the first time in the match, 24-20
Yass pressed the Bull’s line for some time, however, their final passes went to ground as they tried to put the Bulls away. The Bulls then rallied and two quick tries saw them push away to a 32-24 lead.
The Magpies were not going to lie down though and a great run by Dylan Clarke resulted in a try to take the score to 28-32 with less than two minutes on the clock.
Yass neglected to take the conversion and raced back for the kick off as the Bulls tried to slow things down. With under a minute to go, the Magpies rallied hard and made their way over the half way line in three tackles, however, a blatant two-on-one strip on centre Jai Smith was missed by the officials and the Magpies surge came to a halting end, going down fighting 28-32.
The Magpies were well served across the park with Jai Smith awarded Players Player for his two try effort and a number of incisive runs. Andrew Swaffield was again safe out the back. Kruse Robinson was tireless in attack with Chris Rawlinson strong from his hooker position. The halves combination of Matt Barden and Scott Naughton combined well in both attack and defence and led the team from the front.
Reserve Grade
The fourth placed Magpies were confident of continuing their winning form as they tackled the sixth placed Bulls at the weekend.
Yass was quickly into stride with an early try to Corey Elphick for a 4-nil lead.
The Bulls, with some good field position, were quick to reply with a try wide out to lock the scores up at 4-4.
Both teams tried to gain the advantage, and at the 20 minute mark, a try to Jono Butt and a great conversion by Phil Sparnon saw the Magpies push out to a 10-4 lead.
Yass would probably like to forget the next period of the game as penalties and missed tackles saw the Bulls score two quick converted tries for a 16-10 lead. Shortly before half time, the Bulls exposed the Yass defence with a converted try for a 22-10 lead at the break.
The Bulls came out of the sheds full of running and two quick tries, which were converted and saw them run out to a 34-10 lead.
The Magpies, however, dug deep and stopped the rot and with a little more possession going their way, they scored a good try to Sato Ketia-Opo to reduce the score to 16-34. Another good raid by the Magpies saw Corey Elphick cross for his second try, which was converted by Phil Sparnon and the score line was a more respectable 20-34.
The Bulls, however, snuffed out any thought of a Magpies comeback with a converted try to push the score out to a 40-20 lead, which was the final score.
Jesse Collins again played above his weight at fullback, Tony Worthy was tireless in attack and defence. Corey Elphick, Jono Butt and Curtis Goddard had strong games. Ruebin Olah and Ben Dyball tried hard all game.
Under 18s
In the Under 18s, a great first 20 minutes saw Yass trailing by four points to the Gungahlin Bulls.
A disappointing final three minutes to the first half allowed the Bulls two tries under the post and they went to the break leading 22-6.
The Magpies took the field with enthusiasm in the second half, running the length of the field to score and reduce the margin to 10-22.
Yass kept the momentum going with another quick try and brilliant play by Sato Kepia-Olo, combining with Kyle Danilczak, saw another try under the posts and the margin was 2 with the Magpies trailing 20-22.
What happened next was a period the young Magpies would also rather forget, however, as they let the game slip away from them. The Bulls ran away with another threes tries and the game. The final score was 40-20.
Rhys Wilson was enormous in the middle and well supported by Kyle Danilczak (back from injury). Sato Kepia-Opo and Jayke Poidevin were good and Bayley Maher was the pick of the backs. Rhys and Bayley also made their reserve grade debuts.
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