The much anticipated clash between Yass Magpies and Binalong’s Brahmans was preceded by the touch football game between the Jersey Girls and Girlpies.
The Yass girls have been travelling pretty well in 2014, but were no match for the Jersey Girls on Saturday, going down 5-2 in a match dominated by Binalong. The result should see Binalong at the top of the table.
In the final round one group of home and away games of George Tooke Shield, this was a crucial match for both clubs. The final score of 32-12 might indicate a total thrashing, but the game was anything but that.
In spite of missing 5 conversions, Binalong were fortunate to bag at least two of the tries they did score. Likewise, Yass were denied at least one try. The day opened under grey skies with no wind.
After six minutes half-back Matt Lawrence was in with a try for the Brahmans, followed six minutes later with a lucky try to centre Phil Sparnon. Scott Naughton was instrumental for Binalong and was rewarded with a try in the 30th minute, only one conversion by Chris Rawlinson led to a score of 14-0 and an avalanche looked imminent.
Both sides were guilty of some poor ball handling and the Magpies stiffened their resolved. Binalong usually punish their opponents by refusing them field position, but not last Saturday. The Magpies were able to get to Binalong’s ground and were rewarded when a rare gap opened in the Brahman’s defence line opened, Pollack obliged and stepped through to score, Reagan converted and the score was 14-6.
A generous group of Yass supporters might have thought a boil-over was on the cards. The players went to half time at this score and there was a feeling the Magpies might upset the competition leaders in an away game. The Magpies second row had been making life difficult for the Premiers.
As the second half opened, the Magpies hopes went down as Daniel Poidevin opened the scoring with the first of his 3 tries after only four minutes.
But Yass fought back and mounted repeated gallant raids at close quarters led by McDonough and James Buser. Just when Yass looked to have a nice overlap, Brahman’s Craig Irwin seeing the danger, took the odds to the game and took a superb intercept and ran almost 50 metres to score under the posts.
This was not the end of the scoring as winger Poidevin took two superb cross-field kicks from Chris Rawlinson to score in the right corner. This took something out of the game as the Brahmans then cruised to victory. It was a bruising encounter with a lot of very heavy hits.
Now, Binalong retain top position on the table and Harden will be in second position after their game against the winless Rovers.
On a sad note, one of group eight’s best referees, Jason Tennent announced his retirement last week, after 15 years and more than 330 A-Grade games, a persistent knee injury has forced Tennent to the sidelines. “I reffed a lot of higher grade games but I always much enjoyed my trips to Binalong, Harden and Boorowa. I think city people could learn a lot from these league games: Tennent reflected.
Final result: Binalong 32 (Tries; Poidevin (3), Lawrence, Sparnon, Naughton, Irwin. Goals: Rawlinson (1) and Poidevin (1)) defeated Yass 12. Referee: Mr Peter Castle.
Bos indicus.
