Sydney down spirited Country in annual encounter

Sydney defeated the GrainCorp NSW Country Gold Cockatoos 26-13 in a fast-paced match at Concord Oval yesterday. An early lead to Country wasn't enough to stop Sydney from taking the honours for a second year running, as the class of their outside backs proved the difference in this year's annual fixture.

 

The Cockatoos started off the game with a bang as a cheeky lineout move between lock Rory Walton and hooker Ron Hobden payed off, allowing Hobden to score the first try of the match.

 

It took Sydney a while to get on their game but the equalised when Oleni Ngungutau capitalised on some miscommunication in the Country defensive line to grab the Anchors' first try of the match. Flyhalf Angus Sinclair added the extras to make the score 7-5 to Sydney.

 

The rest of the half was dominated by Country, who camped inside Sydney's 22 for a long stretch.  But such was the strength of the Anchors' defence, the Cockatoos only managed three points through the boot of Toby Browne.

 

A try to No.8 Pauli Taumoepeau, who crashed over for an easy five-pointer off the back of a solid attacking scrum gave Sydney a 12-8 lead at the half and they continued that momentum into the second period, as a great run by hooker Paul Ngauamo was finished off with ease by Lavin for the try. Sinclair converted making the score 19-8.

 

Country almost grabbed their second try of the match soon after, as winger Damien Reti made a great run down the sideline only to be stopped by Sydney's Richard Hooper. The try saving tackle spurred the Anchors on as Ngungutau's unpredictable ball running sent Taumoepeau over for his second try of the match. Sinclair converted taking his personal tally to six and extending the home side's lead to 26-8.

 

Ngungutua, who looked dangerous all day with the ball in hand, was sent off soon after as he was judged to have played the ball on the ground. Country capitalised on the numerical advantage immediately with No.8 AJ Gilbert running in an easy try to narrow the gap to 26-13.

 

The rest of the half was all Country as they looked to fight back from the 13-point deficit with some solid attacking play, testing the Sydney defensive line. However, the upset wasn't to be as Sydney's defence ruined Country's day with the final score remaining 26-13.

 

Sydney 26 (2 Pauli Taumoepeau, Oleni Ngungutau, Anton Lavin tries; Angus Sinclair 3 cons) d GrainCorp NSW Country Gold Cockatoos 13 (Ron Hobden, A.J Gilbert tries; Toby Browne pen).