The Pickers played at home on Sunday facing off against Wagga Brother’s in a must win game to remain in the top five.

The Young side played a hard fought game they managed to win 34-22.

Brother’s started the game in control of the ball but a forward pass opened up the match for the Pickers.

With some well directed play Matt Murray made a break with Hayden Cowled backing him up to score near the posts. Jesse Corcoran converted to bring the score to 6-0.

Minutes later Brother’s kicked a 40/20 that the home side capitalised on along with poor defence from Wagga to score out wide bringing the score to 6-4.

Young failed to follow through on their completions or gain any meters with both teams dropping the ball.

Brother’s followed up with two converted tries 6-16.

The Pickers weren’t giving up with a full set of six after a drop out and some great runs before Matt Murray’s pass to Tom Woolford out on the wing closing the score to 10-16 into half-time.

In the sheds captain/coach James Woolford was pleased with the percentages sitting at 78 percent but the side needed to play out their sets better and not give an inch to the Wagga side. 

The second-half couldn’t have started any better with Young scoring two tries one from Woolford out of dummy-half and the second try from Aaron Slater who ran a great charge to score near the posts with both tries to be converted 22-16.

Two minutes later Pickers allowed Brothers to score a try out wide that was converted tying the scores at 22-22.

Both sides were giving their all with good runs from the Young forwards before the Pickers received a penalty for a late hit which saw a great pass from Woolford to Will Scott who scored under the posts bringing the score up to 28-22.

Mitch Ryan managed to score another try from Kyle Richens which was converted to put the Pickers comfortably ahead at 34-22.

With five minutes to go Young worked hard to keep Brother’s out but a couple of silly errors at the end didn’t allow the Brother’s to cross the line with Young finishing off victorious on 34-22.

Point scorers: Hayden Cowled (1), Thomas Woolford (1), James Woolford (1), Aaron Slater (1), Will Scott (1) and Mitch Ryan (1). Jesse Corcoran converted five goals.

Paul Aston.

Reserve Grade 

Young Reserve grade took on Wagga Brothers on Sunday with some key players missing. Thomas Woolford had been a last minute call up to first grade and in form five eight Mick Stallard was away on a Rugby Union sabbatical. The team new from the outset that this was going to be a test against the inform and monstrous Brothers pack.

To Young’s credit the boys came out firing in the first half and refused to take a backward step. The last minute pairing of half back Jake Norton and Rob Plain, in the unfamiliar position of five-eight, lead the team well around the park and at times had the Wagga boys back peddling. The forwards stood up in defence and produced some great meters in attack and at half time Young were only just behind on the scoreboard 16-10.

The second half started as it had finished with Young throwing everything they had at the big Wagga side and the hope was that we would tire them out, but unfortunately Brothers found another gear, and helped by some poor discipline on Young’s behalf, Wagga poured on the points to run out victors 40-10.

All The Cherrypickers tried hard and were upset after the game after giving a great effort for the majority of the match. Asked how he felt he was settling in to the Halfback roll Jake Norton said “Dad used to play in the halves in his day and is always offering advice how to play and showing old footage of games, so I’ve just been doing the opposite and yea it’s working for me, I’m enjoying it”

The points for the day were 3-Will Dunn who continually threw himself in front of the big Wagga forwards all day and was smooth out of dummy half. Rob Plain got the 2 and played his heart out, always talking and directing around the park he lead all game. It was a tie for the one point between Jake Baker and DJ Slater. Both boys had previously played a full game in under18’s then backed up for Reserve grade where they each scored great try’s and were rock solid in both attack and defence.

Cameron Jones 

League tag

The weekends game was a reflection that the girls really can stick it to the best teams, 10-8 at half time (Cherryettes way) demonstrated that they can do it. But, the second half curse occurred for the first 8-10 minutes of the second half we went to sleep, lacked intensity therefore they got a quick two tries scored by Brothers which allowed them to get on a roll. We fought back but just a little to late. I am really proud of the girls considering the last time we met them this year it was 58-0 today only three tries in it! 

Elevations players player went to Annie Turbo Turner. 

It is a pity that at the end of the season the girls have really started to gel and get a roll on but it is just a step in the right direction for next year. We are a young team - average age 17 so lots to take away from this year to help improve and develop for next.

Jess Mcinerney 

18s

In the eighteens taking on sixth placed Brothers, it was a close encounter but unfortunately the Pickers could not get the points this week. With Brothers leading 14-4 at half time the Pickers had to work hard to get back in the game in the second half. With five minutes to go Young were leading 26-24, but Brothers scored a late try under the post and converting to make the final score 30-26. It was a great effort by the boys. This weekend the 18s take on fourth placed Albury which is a must win for the Pickers to stay in contention for the finals. 

Steve Carroll