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RUGBY: 11 APRIL 2017

Rugby Round-Up

By JOCK HAYNES

Eagles show toughness but Magpies record strong 34-5 win

Molong Magpies opened their rugby season with a strong 34-5 win against the Yeoval Eagles at the Rec on Saturday. The five-tries-to-one victory was a solid performance and showcased some new — and returning — talent.

The Magpie backline stamped their authority on the game in the first 20 minutes with three tries, the first to veteran Kyle Travis playing at outside centre, then to winger Joe Reid and new fullback, Scott Nichols, who showed plenty of toe.

All three tries were converted by Central West rep, halfback Will Oldham, giving the home team a match winning 21-0 lead. Yeoval scored a try to close the gap somewhat to be 21-5 at half-time.

Molong scored two more tries in the second half, one to another veteran, Carl Reid, now seemingly playing in the back-row permanently. The other went to Jack Pratten’s potential brother in law, also Jack, and also playing in the forwards. These both went unconverted, but Oldham did pot a penalty to take the score to its final tally.

The scoreline makes it sound like an easy win. That it was not. The Eagles, as always gave 100 per cent and took it to the Magpies, but the solid set pieces and phase play of the Magpies allowed the backs to show their class.

The Freemasons three best-and-fairest points went to inside centre Zac White, with newcomers Scott Nichols and forward Pete Finlay picking up two and one respectively. The Komatsu Player’s Player went to another newcomer, Blake Hutchinson, playing at number eight in the absence of Josh Peffer. Peter Corinth was the fortunate recipient of the Freemason’s Lucky Gate Prize.

With Easter this coming weekend, the Magpies next game is in Blayney on the 22 April. The Rams monstered CSU Aggies 94-5, and appear to be as strong as ever, so Molong will need to be at their best.

Molong Online didn’t make it to the game as it was too busy on Saturday feeding its face at Langdon’s on Peabody April Long Lunch. But Brenden Roberts certainly did and some of his excellent pix can be see by visiting https://www.facebook.com/pg/Be-Roberts-Photography-165455440312137/photos/?tab=
album&album_id=628394890684854

SCORES 08 APRIL 2017
(Home teams first)

CENTRAL DIVISION

Molong Magpies 34 v Yeoval Eagles 5
CSU Aggies 5 v Blayney Rams 94
Condoblin Rams — bye

NORTHERN DIVISION

Geurie Goats 29 v Trangie Tigers 14
Wellington Redbacks 10 v Narromine 26
Coolah Roos 22 v Coonabarabran 10

SOUTHERN DIVISION

Temora Tuskers v Cootamundra — postponed
Grenfell Panthers 29 v Harden 0
West Wyalong Weevils — bye

SOUTHERN WOMEN

Temore v Cootamundra — postponed
Harden — bye
West Wyalong — bye

NO MATCHES NEXT WEEKEND BECAUSE OF EASTER

NEXT MATCHES 22 APRIL 2017
(Home teams first)

CENTRAL CONFERENCE

Blayney Rams v Molong Magpies
Yeoval Eagles — bye
CSU Aggies — bye

NORTHERN CONFERENCE

Coolah Roos v Trangie Tigers
Narromine v Geurie Goats
Coonabarabran v Wellington Redbacks

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

West Wyalong Weevils v Grenfell Panthers
Harden v Cootamundra Tricolours
Temora Tuskers — bye

COMPETITION TABLES

CENTRAL DIVISION

CLB—P—W—L—D——F——A—BP—PTS
BLA—1—1—0—0—94——5——1———5
MOL—1—1—0—0—34——5——1———5
YEO—1—0—1—0——5—34——0———0
CSO—1—0—1—0——5—94——0———0
CDN—0—0—0—0——0——0——0———0

NORTHERN DIVISION

CLB—P—W—L—D——F——A—BP—PTS
GEU—1—1—0—0—29—14——1———5
NAR—1—1—0—0—26—10——1———5
COO—1—1—0—0—22—10——1———5
TRG—1—0—1—0—14—19——0———0
CBN—1—0—1—0—10—22——0———0
WEL—1—0—1—0—10—26——0———0

SOUTHERN DIVISION

CLB—P—W—L—D——F——A—BP—PTS
GFL—1—1—0—0—29——0——1———5
HDN—1—0—1—0——0—29——0———0
TEM—0—0—0—0——0——0——0———0
CTA—0—0—0—0——0——0——0———0
WWG—0—0—0—0——0——0——0———0

SOUTHERN WOMEN

CLB—P—W—L—D——F——A—BP—PTS
TEM—0—0—0—0——0——0——0———0
CTA—0—0—0—0——0——0——0———0
HDN—0—0—0—0——0——0——0———0
WWG—0—0—0—0——0——0——0———0