GUNNEDAH Bulldogs swamped the Werris Creek Creek Magpies in Saturday’s Woodleys Isuzu Ute Group 4 first grade clash, winning 62-6 at Kitchener Park.
The Bulldogs crossed for 11 tries with fullback Dylan Lake, halfback Matt Brady and lock Hayden Smith snaring two apiece.
Magpies hooker Cody Tickle was the lone try-scorer for the visitors and also converted his try on a day where the Bulldogs dominated.
“It was a good win,” reported Gunnedah coach Sean Hayne.
“Werris Creek did defend well but we ripped them apart in the last 20. They also had a few out too.”
The Bulldogs led 22-0 at half-time before the Magpies were given a flicker of hope with an early try to Tickle – who was Werris Creek’s player’s player for the day – in the second half.
From there, the Dogs dominated with possession and on the scoreboard.
Hayne said the Bulldogs stuck to the game plan much of the time and “everyone did their job well”.
He was most pleased by KC Edmonds.
Originally from Inverell, the forward has settled in well at Gunnedah after his NRL journey.
“Had a big game,” Hayne said of the young forward.
“Started in the front row but then pushed out to the right edge and then onto the left edge.
“He played the full 80 minutes but he’s young, only 19 or something, and should be able to go all day, too.
“Other than that our spine was really good.”
That spine of Brady, Lake and hooker Callum Hayne all combined well along with Smith at lock.
Despite the big win, Hayne said there was still room for improvement after a couple last passes saw tries go begging.
“We’ve still got plenty to work on,” Hayne said.
Lachlan King, Reece Jaeger, Jason Fenn, Jordy Ford and James Donnelly scored the other tries for Gunnedah.
Brady picked up three points, Lake two while the one point went to Werris Creek’s Jamie Bailey.
RESULTS
First grade: GUNNEDAH 62 (Dylan Lake 2, Matt Brady 2, Hayden Smith 2, Lachlan King, Reece Jaeger, Jason Fenn, Jordy Ford, James Donnelly tries, DJ Smith 9gls) d WERRIS CREEK 6 (Cody Tickle try and gl). NORTH WEST FARM MACHINERY AGCO B&F: 3 Matt Brady (G), 2 Dylan Lake (G), 1 Jamie Bailey (WC).
Second grade: SOUTH WEST ROBINS 42 (Kyle Fenton 3, Shane Howarth 2, Corey Hall 2, Nelson Smith tries, Smith 5gls) d GUNNEDAH 38 (Lincon Smith 2, Andrew Johnson, Jack Reeves, Jimmy Pascoe, Steve Taylor, Derrin Mason tries, Pascoe 5gls) NORTH WEST FARM MACHINERY AGCO B&F: 3 Corey Hall (SW Robins), 2 Nelson Smith (SW Robins), 1 Derrin Mason (Gunnedah).
Ladies League Tag: GUNNEDAH 34 (Khobi Devine 2, Genevieve Vickers, Carys Griffiths, Tarryn Heinrich),Cathy Smith, Billy-Joe Power tries, Devine 2, Chelsea Campbell gls) d WERRIS CREEK 10 (Molly Turner, Hannah Tickle tries, Casey Hatch gl). NORTH WEST FARM MACHINERY AGCO B&F: Unavailable
