The Under 18 Young Cherrypickers travelled to Wagga on Sunday to take on number one side, South City, in Group Nine’s qualifying semi-final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Both sides came out strong and were unable to put points on the board in the first 20 minutes until South City capitalised on an error by Young.
Despite Young’s forwards breaking through a lot of defense and keeping South City at bay, an error on the ‘Pickers’ try line saw Wagga jump on a dropped ball from a scrum and score next to the posts, 6-nil.
Young then kicked back into gear and some good offloads saw Brady LeStrange dive over under the posts to take the score to 6-all with 10 minutes remaining of first half.
The next 10 minutes saw both sides given great opportunities to score, only for the ball to go to ground at the last pass.
With a minute remaining Young received a penalty in front of the posts. They took the goal option and Young went into the break up 8-6.
The message was the same from coaches Woolford and Norton – stick with these guys in the next 20 minutes, more intensity, get the ball wide and play them on Young’s edges.
But it wasn’t to be for Young as South City came out harder and with more intensity and were the first ones to score not long after the break, 10-8.
Young made too many errors and South City were to score again and jump to a 16-8 lead.
Some good runs from Woody Norton and some big hits from Kye Tiederman saw Woody cross the line for Young with a well-deserved try. This was converted and Young were back in the game, down 16-14.
Another mistake from Young saw South City score again with only two minutes left on the clock to all but seal a victory for Wagga and see them progress through to the grand final in a fortnights time.
But not to go down without a fight, Tiederman made a break up the sideline from the kickoff, offloading to Jesse Corcoran to score and take the outcome to 22-18, Wagga’s way.
It was the game that got away for Young, with missed opportunities and many mistakes costing them the game.
Coaches Woolford and Norton reassured the boys they have what it takes to win grand finals.
Young heads back to Harris Park, Wagga on Sunday for an elimination final against Wagga Brothers.
