Teenagers Jesse Corcoran and Jake Walker earned their stripes as Young overwhelmed Cootamundra 40-6 at Les Boyd Oval on Saturday.
Rewarded by coach Neil Thorman the two teenagers did not waste the opportunity to make a big impression.
On a day when goalkicking was tough work in the mud, Corcoran landed six conversions and also made several incisive breaks out wide.
Likewise, Walker was in the thick of the action, running up an impressive tally of tackles in the middle of the ground.
“He (Walker) played lock but he was tackling like another prop,” Thorman said on Saturday.
“As for Jesse Corcoran, he just showed why he deserves to be out in front in the Weissel Cup medal count.
“He kicked six goals and ran really well in the open.”
Playing in the mud, Young struggled to a 16-8 lead at halftime before finding their rhythm and cohesion in the second half, running on four tries to nil.
Thorman later chastised the Cherrypickers for their ill discipline in the first half.
“We gave away too many penalties,” he said.
“We wasted possession.”
Learning from their mistakes, Young played with greater control in the second half.
“It got a bit easier,” Thorman said.
With still one game to serve of a four-game suspension, Thorman will sit out next Saturday’s clash with Kangaroos at Alfred Oval.
“I’ll be back for Gundagai at home the following week,” Thorman said.
“And I can’t wait.”
Winger Denvour Kiel scored two tries and set up another on Saturday, while hooker James Woolford continued his recent spree by also scoring a try double.
Explosive Warren Aiken had a mixed day, copping a 10 minute stint in the sin-bin and also sustaining a thumb injury.
The victory kept Young safely in the top five and still within reach of making the top three for the finals.
In other results the Reserve Grade Cherrypickers slammed Cootamundra with a 50-nil victory.
Tthe Cherryettes enjoyed a weekend off while the Under 18s won 46-nil and the Under 16s missed out on a win, 16-17.
