NSW Country Comes from Behind to Defeat NSW Suburban
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Tuesday, 12 June 2007
NSWRU Media Unit
NSW Country has staged remarkable comeback to defeat NSW Suburban 38 points to 17 at Nepean Rugby Park on Sunday.
James King on the charge for Subbies against Country
James King on the charge for Subbies against Country
The win came just a week after Subbies regained the Barraclough Shield with a 33-19 defeat of Queensland Suburban at Ballymore.
The match was a true city versus country affair, with no quarter asked for or given by either team.
The early stages were quite fiery with Suburban rattling Country with their aggressive style of play, resulting in several flare ups.
Inside 25 minutes Suburban had skipped away to a handy 17-0 lead thanks to two converted tries and a penalty goal.
It took Country half an hour to get on the scoreboard via a penalty goal however the remainder of the first half would prove fruitful for the visitors, adding a converted try and a penalty goal to head into the break trailing by just 17-13.
The second half opened the same as the first with some solid exchanges, but it was Country who got on the front foot to narrow the deficit to just one point through a second penalty goal.
A converted try soon after saw Country take the lead 23-17.
The last 20 minutes of the match saw Country apply the pressure, and with the Suburban forwards tiring in the heavy conditions, the score-line slowly crept out to 38-17 with the addition of two tries, a conversion and penalty goal.
Country's man of the match was flanker Doug Haslem who was outstanding in both attack and defence.
Haslem was well supported by flanker Tim O'Brien, half Paul Elliott, fullback Cameron Wyper and wing Leith Cooper, who lived up to the nickname "Lethal Leith" by scoring 18 points through four penalty goals and three conversions.
NSW Country 38
Tries: Cameron Wyper 2, Mick Lee, Ben Sattler
Conversions: Leith Cooper 3
Penalty Goals: Leith Cooper 4
NSW Suburban 17
Tries: Anthony Gowing, James King
Conversions: Adam Choice 2
Penalty Goals: Adam Choice 1
At Nepean Rugby Park, Penrith ++++++++++
NSW Country made it two from two in the Under 19 match, scoring an impressive 26-5 victory over NSW Suburban.
Country's big forward pack ground down the home side in the second half after the heading into the break at 7-5, while scrumhalf and player of the match Sam McNeil used the forward platform to spark his outside backs, who scored all five of Country's tries.
NSW Country U19 26
Tries: Josh Moxom 2, Phil Marks, Rowan Newton-Smith
Conversions: Rowan Newton-Smith 3
NSW Suburban U19 5
Tries: Shane Cooper
At Nepean Rugby Park, Penrith