Lawrence Aitken runs into heavy defence from the Weevils.
The Harden Red Devils were runaway victors at home vs the West Wyalong Weevils 45-5 on Saturday.
The Devils were slow out of the gate, with West Wyalong opening the scoreboard early.
However, the boys soon kicked into gear with recruit Kobi Bradshaw crossing for a first-half double. The Weevils fielded a tough forward pack, but the Devils’ big men, Darcy Gotterson, Luke Thorsby and Nick Alcorn stood up to the task and earned a try for their efforts. The Devils gave special mention to long-serving legend Johnny Manchester and stand-in skipper Oliver Fairfield-Smith, who both snuck their way over the line as well.
John Manchester (43), played the full eighty minutes. With his usual relief provided by Will Glover unavailable on the day, as Glover was at Central West country championships playing 18’s.
“I’m happy to come off the bench and let the younger blokes have a run, I just enjoy being a part of the team,” Manchester said.
“We’re in a kind of different structure this year, which is at 43, definitely feeling like a faster pace.
Manchester joked, “I’m only just fresh enough to keep up.”
Two important pieces of the Devils’ rebuild and their new fast-paced approach that Manchester alluded to are young guns Ollie Minehan and Oscar Phillis. Both of whom come from great Devils pedigree with Oscar’s father Magic (Craig) a star hooker for the Devils, and Ollie’s father Matt, a great half for the side. Both spoke to the Times about how they liked following in their father’s footsteps.
“I played 10 for the first time. I normally play halfback or outside in the centres. But it was a good experience and one I enjoyed a lot,” Minehan said.
“I wasn’t able to score this week, but we got the win, which at the end of the day is the only thing that matters.
“I’m just working on a couple of different farms being a farm hand. I’m 18, turning 19.”
“I’ve been playing hooker and it’s been good, I’ve been a dummy-half since I was playing juniors it’s a position I’m comfortable in and one I hope I do a good job in playing. I played about 70 minutes, which left me pretty tired,” Phillis said.
“I was throwing the lineouts. I would have had a try, but got disallowed. Got brought back for infringement.”
Points:
3 Luke Thorsby
2 Lawrence Aitken
1 John Manchester/Nick Alcorn
Player Player:
Ollie Minehan/Darcy Gotterson
This week the Devils head to Young to face their local rival Yabbies in what is shaping to be an important clash for the season, kick-off is at 3:15 pm Saturday at Cranfield Oval.
-Tully Potts
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